Fine Line's prairie, nature area wins landscape award

An inherent part of Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles is the beauty and grace depicted in its gardens and restored natural prairie.

The Pottawatomie Garden Club recently presented Fine Line Creative Arts Center with its 2015 Landscape Commendation plaque, "For beautifying St. Charles with outstanding design and maintenance of your landscape."

One Landscape Commendation award is presented each year to a St. Charles Township business, during the garden club's annual fall luncheon.

Sue Peterson, the Fine Line board president emeritus, and volunteer Kimberly Haag attended the "Silver & Gold" 2015 Fall Luncheon on Oct. 19, and were thrilled to accept the award on Fine Line's behalf.

Pottawatomie Garden Club has adorned downtown St. Charles with beautiful flowers since its inception in 1928. Each year, members plant flowers on the Main Street and Illinois Street bridges, and around the Municipal building.

Fine Line's vital Prairie Committee of hard working volunteers, led by Don Llung, deserves many accolades and much appreciation for maintaining and managing the prairie.

The Fine Line Prairie and Nature Area covers 5 acres - a 2.5 acre prairie landscape bordered on the north by beds of prairie plants and a 2.5 acre wetland and wildlife habitat. A stream bisects the parcel.

When possible, Fine Line Creative Arts Center classes use the prairie as a resource for class materials, including basketry, papermaking and textile dyeing. It also offers a beautiful site for plein air painting.

The area is open to the public. If you are interested in becoming a member of our prairie committee or would like to volunteer your time to the prairie, contact Don Ljung at donljung@gmail.com.

Fine Line Creative Arts Center, located at 37W570 Bolcum Road, is open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on art classes, exhibits and the prairie, visit www.fineline.org or call (630) 584-9443.