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Have You Ever Wondered.....
who plants the parkways on the northeast east corner of Farwell and Sheridan?





Oakleaf Hydrangea











Perserverance Pays Off

If you happen to be walking west on Farwell towards Sheridan Road, you get to see this spectacular Oakleaf Hydrangea in bloom right now and following that the sedum in this planting bed will pop. On your left, you'll enjoy a fully landscaped and carefully considered parkway space with a nice mixture of grass, shrubs and blooming plants. Hit the corner and there's more perennials blooming in perfect sequence and even if you didn't plan on heading north, you might as well; take in the rest of the beautifully planted parkways and narrow wall garden.

Chances are you've seen this corner and chances are you've wondered, like I have over the years, who was responsible for all this hard work that all of us enjoy. Well, I just happened to be at that corner a few weeks ago on an errand and my curiosity just got the better of me and I decided to find out. It wasn't that hard because as I walked through the open gate into the courtyard, Dennis and Paul just happened to be standing there and we just started talking. They made it easy and I appreciated that because it was "got to get to work time" and as I walked into the courtyard I felt a little, well, nosy. We spent about a half an hour talking and it actually inspired this feature because there are lots of things I wonder about here in Rogers Park.

I found out that they met on the same day they both moved into this town house complex over 7 years ago and that's when all the planning and planting started. They began working inside the courtyard and built an 80 foot long raised bed all along the parking area using stacked timbers. It's completely filled with bulbs, shrubs and perennials and makes a huge impact on the courtyard which would otherwise be pretty bland. All available planting areas and Paul's private garden were then planted: there are colorful combinations and textures everywhere you look. .

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Raised Planter in
Parking Lot




























Sheridan Road Parkway

















Farwell Parkway

What I appreciate the most after talking with Dennis and Paul is that, despite the difficulties they experienced when they started planting the parkway spaces, they never gave up. Dealing with an inhospitable urban environment, poor soil, salt spray, harsh winters and plants that do not hold up to those elements would send some people in search of another hobby. If plants died, they tried others. If they were taken, they replaced them and that's how it went for 6 years until the perfect combination came together.

Dennis and Paul
Paul Urbanick grew up around plants all his life. He helped in his grandparents garden, his parents' garden and took over for them eventually. And if what you see overwhelmes you, he has enough time and energy to tend a 1 acre property in Michigan which he says is planted from lot line to lot line and I believe him.

Paul finds relaxation and a creative outlet away from his stressfull financial advisor role at Merrill Lynch. He planted the parkways simply because he loves his neighborhood.

Dennis Pomerleau enjoys the creativity and challenge as much as Paul. They have created a little urban oasis on their corner and if you havn't seen their work, you might want to check it out every few weeks as the perennials bloom nonstop.




Parkway and Townhomes on
N.E. Corner of Farwell and Sheridan
















Gary Fuschi.