Highland Park Gets Rock Garden at Millard Park Beach

From Park District of Highland Park

The Park District of Highland Park has approved the installation of a Rock Garden on the north beach of Millard Park, a 14-acre park that includes over 1,000 feet of Lake Michigan shore and bluff.

The concept for the garden was presented to the Park District by long-time Highland Park residents, Richard and Marjie Ettlinger. The couple is also donating funds for the project which is expected to be completed by summer 2015.

The Rock Garden will provide a friendly outdoor play and learning space where children and adults can bring stones they collect from the beach to sift and sort while learning to identify such important Lake Michigan beach stones as basalt, granite, quartz, sandstone and limestone.

Large boulders of each rock type will be installed in the garden and engraved with their geological names. Additional information on the stones will be available on a park kiosk and online at the Park District website, pdhp.org.

The space will also include a sitting area for residents to relax and enjoy the beautiful beach while listening to the stones rolling together in the waves.

Marjie Ettlinger had a long –standing desire to create an informational exhibit about Lake Michigan beach stones, so she approached the Park District and worked with Natural Areas Manager, Rebecca Grill, to develop the conceptual idea.

Grill and the Ettlingers met with John Dalton, a respected exhibit designer, who helped infuse Marjie’s concept with current educational thinking and fun.

“We are thrilled that Mrs. Ettlinger brought her idea for the Rock Garden to the Park District.” said Scott Meyers, president of the Board of Commissioners for the Park District of Highland Park.

“Her passion for our lakefront and its geological treasures will be enjoyed by residents and their children for generations to come. And on behalf of the Park District of Highland Park, I would like to thank Marjie and Richard for their generous donation which will make the garden a reality for our community.”

“I’ve spent countless happy hours on the North Shore beaches throughout my life and have a deep appreciation for the story of beach stones,” said Marjie Ettlinger. “I’m so excited to share my enthusiasm with the rest of the community and bring my idea to fruition!”