Garden of Love & Garden of Pillar
Garden of
Love
A garden primarily used to grow vegetables, and also serves as a nature play area.
Garden of
Pillar
A garden used for growing plants and serving as a community space for events. Available for rental.
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About the Gardens
Garden of Love
The Garden of Love, established in 2018, was created on the site of a former family home.
Today, it's a vibrant community space where anyone can enjoy free produce like sunflowers, pumpkins, tomatoes, watermelon and onions.
It also features a nature play area for children and serves as a place for neighbors to gather, connect, and grow together.
Garden of Pillar
The Garden of Pillar, established in 2020, sits on land once home to the Sherman family. It has grown into a space of love, remembrance, and community.
Locally built and supported through donations, the garden hosts events like graduations, repasses, and back-to-school celebrations. It honors former residents with name plaques and an annual homecoming each August.
Known as a “Pillar of Love,” it’s a place where neighbors gather, give back, and grow together.
Meet the Garden Leader
Dollie Sherman
Dollie Sherman has been part of the Austin community for 47 years and leads both Garden of Love and Garden of Pillar.
For Garden of Love, she plans to add more fun play areas for kids and grow more food for the neighborhood with extra garden beds.
She wants to make Garden of Pillar a comfortable place with more benches and a shelter so people can enjoy it rain or shine. Dollie also supports programs for youth and hopes to partner with local organizations to provide more opportunities for young people.
Dollie’s goal is to make these gardens bring the community together and inspire connection.
Address
Garden of Love: 620 North Lorel Street
Chicago, IL 60644
Garden of Pillar: 623 North Lorel Street
Chicago, IL 60644
Contact
To learn more about these gardens, volunteer, reserve a space, or make a donation, please contact Dollie Sherman at dolliesherman@yahoo.com