If you’ve ever driven North on Rt 57, chances are you’ve passed the village of University Park – home of Governors State University. GSU is a four year public university that was founded in 1969. It is located on 750 acres of prairie, just 30 miles North of Kankakee.
What you may not know about GSU, is that they are home to a massive sculpture park that is free and open to the public to walk through!
“The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is a collection of 30 master works of large-scale sculpture situated within 100 acres of prairie landscape. This “museum-in-the-prairie” is open for public viewing 365 days a year and is free of charge. The Park provides programs for adults and children that integrate art and nature. Although it is located on the campus of Governors State University, it was founded and is maintained through grants and donations from businesses and individuals.” (govst.edu)
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park has had to make some changes to protect the staff and visitors.
“As we begin to reopen theNate to our GSU community on June 1, 2020, our primary concern is the health and safety of our visitors. If you do choose to visit theNate, please remember:
- Hours to visit are from 7am to 7pm Monday through Friday. The restrooms at the “A North” entrance (see map) are designated for use by visitors to theNate – please do not enter other buildings, entrances, or locations. Wash your hands.
- Practice social distancing by keeping at least six feet of distance between yourself and others; face coverings are required while on campus – wear a mask; wash your hands.
- Please stay home if you are sick or feeling any symptoms, such as fever, coughing, troubled breathing, and/or other flu-like symptoms;
- Visit alone or with members of your household;
- Stay local and visit parks that are closest to where you live;
- If you arrive at theNate or any other park and crowds are forming, please move to another area or return another time/day to visit; and
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper arm/elbow.”
Looking for more info? You can visit their website, Governors State University.
