Rare Opportunity to Tour Restored Mayflower Ravine

Description

Ragdale, the artists’ retreat in Lake Forest offers the public a special opportunity to take a self-guided tour of the recently restored, exquisitely landscaped Mayflower Ravine on Saturday, July 14 at 10:30AM.  The experience will be enhanced by encounters with strolling musicians and artists at work along the winding paths.  A garden reception will follow the tours at 12Noon.
 
In 1912, Jens Jensen, the famous Midwest landscape architect, designed paths and bridges in the Mayflower Ravine as part of his landscape plan for the Rumsey Estate. Over the past century, excessive storm water scoured the streambed down five feet and destabilized the slopes. Restoration of 800 feet of the ravine occurred between 2012 and 2015, and included raising, redirecting and naturalizing the streambed back to its 1912 appearance; stabilizing the side slopes and replanting with native species; and adding paths, log bridges and a council ring, consistent with Jensen’s original plan.
 
Nearly 12 million pounds of stone and soil were imported. 275 native trees, 3.400 shrubs and 40,000 perennials were planted. Key collaborators on the project with the owner, Roger Deromedi, were Daniel Creaney Company (civil engineering), Kettelkamp & Kettelkamp (landscape design), John Keno & Company (construction) and Rocco Fiore & Sons (landscape).
 
The self-guided Mayflower Ravine Tour takes place on Saturday, July 14 (Rain date: Sunday, July 15) from 10:30AM – 12Noon, followed by a garden reception and presentation from 12Noon -1:30PM. (Includes appetizers, beer, wine and soft drinks)
 
The event is located at the Deromedi Ravine and Gardens, 900 East Illinois Road, Lake Forest 60045.
Tickets are $45 with advance purchase and $60 at the door, and include the self-guided ravine tour, lunch bites and beverages.  Tickets can be purchased online at http://ragdale.org.   All proceeds benefit the Ragdale in Schools program and its free “Arts and Nature” workshops offered to students from Chicago to Waukegan. Families are welcome, but the tour is not suitable for children under 12 years old.
 
Complimentary valet service is available.  Flat shoes or sneakers are recommended; no heels.
 
Upon presentation of their ticket, tour guests will receive a 10% discount off their dinner at Inovasi restaurant on Friday, July 13 and  Saturday, July 14 and another 10% returns to Ragdale. Inovasi restaurant is located at 28 E. Center Avenue, Lake Bluff 60044.
 
For further information, visit www.ragdale.org or call 847.234.1063.