The people of Logan Square have always been gardeners, builders, and DIYers. The pandemic brought some much-needed extra time for families to bond, create and learn new (or old) projects. As the days gradually get colder, we want to highlight some of the projects residents took on this summer and fall to beautify their own yards and the neighborhood.
Enjoy the inspiration as told in their own words and tag @LoganSquarist in any yard projects you’ve created to beautify your space for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Chicken Coop by Tammy Mader
Photos: Tammy Mader.
I’ve been getting more and more into sort of mild, low level homesteading. I always loved having a garden and growing food that I can actually eat. I like having critters — fish, kittens, kids… I always wanted chickens, and quarantine seems like a perfect time to take on new projects and pets! Honestly, there’s also been some not unfounded existential dread these days. It’s a good time to have a sustainable source of food in your backyard. —Tammy Mader
Outdoor Grill Table by Jon Bull
Photos: Jon Bull.
I like to cook a lot. I just got a deal on a smoker, and it was a good excuse for a fun project while I was stuck at home. I got to play around with CAD, learn to pour concrete, and go bang around in the garage after I put my kids to bed. Other than annoying the neighbors with some late-night sawing, I think it was a success. — Jon Bull
See Saw by the Sayer Family
Photos: Brad Sayer.
As our seven-year-old daughter is a single child, we’re always looking for ways to give her more time with other tiny humans. Creating play pieces that brought other kids to us helped give our daughter more time with friends, and gave us parents a rare breather.
My daughter loves to make creations out of any kind of leftover materials, often connecting things with tape and whatever else she can find. Helping me build rough woodworking items is a natural extension of her creativity, and gives her a huge sense of pride when she boasts to her friends that “my daddy and I built this!” She was very much into see saws at the time, and I wasn’t in shape to keep riding with her at random parks all over the city. This seemed to be the perfect piece to get her out of the house, playing with friends, and give old Dad’s legs a break. All good, except I didn’t factor the 7 a.m. rides into the equation!
That led to the wobbly balance beam. No parent effort needed! That built the day the first COVID closures were announced, so it’s only been dragged to the sidewalk a few times. It’s a challenge for both kids and adults alike and becomes quite the thing when a few adult beverages make an appearance. — Brad Sayer
Rooftop Planter Boxes by the Maronde Family
Photos: Gitte Maronde.
After a 10-year procrastination, the pandemic with its food shortage scare finally propelled us to tackle the garage roof-top garden project. Despite some marital strife about design detail, the project went under way on the chilly, rainy “Mother Obligation Day” AKA Mother’s Day, when the whole family schlepped buckets and buckets of dirt up the narrow spiral stairway. Almost forgotten and buried are those gray beginnings now that the planter boxes hide below lush greenery, striking flowers and amazing tomatoes, beans, peppers, carrots, eggplant and herbs. More than a garden, the rooftop provides relief from the stresses of the world. — Gitte Maronde
Front Yard Renovation by the Taylor Family
Photos: Jason Taylor.
In the spring, while under the stay-at-home order, we decided to finally tackle our front yard and porch. We wanted something low-maintenance for our lawn so we opted to plant some perennials and lay down some mulch. The front porch has always been a favorite spot for our family, so we added some aesthetics, painted and also got a new rocking chair. — Dawn Taylor
Do you have any DIY yard projects you’d like to share? Post on social media and tag @LoganSquarist to be featured!
Featured photo: Tammy Mader
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