Photo of the Day: Friendship Park Conservatory

The , is a 30-acre operation that includes lush gardens, a walking and bicycle path, soccer field, playground, greenhouse, atrium, courtyard, rental facility and more.

Jacki Ley, center director, said not everyone knows about the conservatory for a couple reasons. While it’s part of the Mount Prospect Park District, it is located in Des Plaines. Also, it is set back south of Algonquin Road, and not everyone looks past the sign to the lush gardens, walking path and park facilities. Ley said the conservatory is enjoyable for all, once they discover it, and many local workers stop by on their lunch breaks.

“[The conservatory is] free to the public and it’s just a beautiful place to come,” Ley said.

The conservatory is rented for a variety of community events including weddings and other family events, seminars and other corporate events, book clubs and other organization meetings and more.

Mount Prospect residents Dimitre Dimov and his children Rya Dimov and Alek Dimov recently took a stroll through the conservatory’s three-story atrium, decorated seasonally. Dimov said they were at the park playground, and decided to check out some other features at the conservatory as well.

One of the most popular public events at Friendship Park Conservatory, the Holiday Open House, Dec. 1, attracts hundreds of residents and includes lots of holiday-themed entertainment, activities, treats and more.

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