Cornell Oasis Garden in Chicago offers vegetable plots and a woodland for gardening and birding.

The Cornell Oasis Garden has been a cherished part of the Kenwood and Hyde Park communities for over 40 years. This unique space combines 42 vegetable garden plots with a large woodland area featuring native wildflowers and ferns. The garden is designed to attract bountiful birds and butterflies, providing members with the opportunity to grow organic vegetables while enjoying a natural habitat. In addition to gardening, the group offers guided birding and butterfly experiences for the public. The garden's spirit and layout are deeply inspired by Gerda Schild (1915-2012), a longtime Hyde Park resident and the founder of the Oasis after it was moved from Victory Gardens. Gerda was known for her love of nature, birdwatching, and her philosophy that gardens should include wildflowers and weeds to support insects and butterflies rather than being manicured. Her legacy is visible today in the untouched milkweed plants that serve as a popular stopover for Monarch butterflies on their migration to Mexico. Located at 4850 Cornell Ave, the garden sits up amongst the trees on a hill by the railroad tracks, offering a peaceful retreat for community members and visitors alike.