By Meghan Streit
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Winter is finally loosening her icy grip on Chicagoland— and not a moment too soon! After several long months inside, we could all use some fresh air and sunshine.

One place to find the first signs of spring is Monarch Landing, in Naperville. The community blossoms with activity both inside and out.

Room to grow
Monarch Landing’s manicured grounds are home to dozens of varieties of trees. And with literally thousands of tulips blooming, brightly colored flowers are everywhere.

Then there are the garden patches, where greenthumbed residents plant their favorite flowers and grow bounties of vegetables. The gardeners grow more  than enough fresh tomatoes, zucchini, radishes, and peppers to share with their neighbors.

“Last year every plot was taken,” says Linda Wylder, resident life director at the community. “The development department is adding additional patches due to demand, and I suspect that they will be filled again.”

Garden club member Kay Filkins says the club is working on a couple of exciting projects to launch this spring. They plan to buy a three-tiered fountain that will grace one of the courtyards outside residents’ patios. And the group has cleverly researched to identify the five flowers that attract the rare monarch butterfly, which they will plant this spring to entice the lovely butterflies to their home.

The garden club also makes it easier for nongardeners to enjoy Monarch Landing’s outdoor spaces.

They have printed a plant guidebook that residents and visitors can use to take walking tours. They are also working on purchasing markers to identify all of the diff erent flowers and trees on the campus.

Take it outside
While there is plenty to do indoors at Monarch Landing, the warmer spring weather creates even more leisure opportunities for people who live there. Fitness Specialist Antonio Galvan says residents can move many of their usual activities outdoors and try some new ones too.