Wonder Woods Mini Golf
This article originally published on May 23, 2024 by Katie Mayle.
The Morton Arboretum has a new summertime attraction in 2024: Wonder Woods Mini Golf. The nine-hole pop-up experience is open May 24 through Sept. 2, with interactive, tree-themed features.
The one-of-a-kind course was designed by the Arboretum and will incorporate whimsical features at each hole to illustrate different scientific concepts, including how sound is used by researchers to detect tree decay or what tree rings can tell scientists about the life of a tree and its environment.
We were invited to experience Wonder Woods, but all opinions are my own.
Our group consisted of two adults and a five-year old. While he has mini golfed before, a few of the holes were harder for my son, as you had to hit the ball up a narrow ramp. You needed just the right amount of power and accuracy to get the ball to where it needed to be. My eight-year old would have had an easier time with the holes and likely would have enjoyed it even more than he did.
We read along to learn about different aspects of nature and how they all interact within our local ecosystem. I would recommend this to be a fun activity with older children, or a cute add-on if you were enjoying a date night at the Morton Arboretum.
The Mini Golf course will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Tickets for the attraction are in addition to Arboretum general admission. Member tickets will be $8 for adults and $6 for children, and nonmember tickets will be $10 for adults and $8 for children. Additional rounds of play will be available for purchase on-site for a nominal fee. The Of the Earth sculpture exhibition will continue through spring 2025, and is also included with admission.
More information about the Arboretum’s new Mini Golf experience will be available at mortonarb.org in 2024.
“Of the Earth” at The Morton Arboretum
On May 24, 2023, we had the privilege of seeing the newest sculptures at The Morton Arboretum and they are beautiful! The Morton Arboretum is a favorite for us and if you haven’t been to the Children’s Garden yet, you are missing out!
We have an inside look at the areas designed for kids at The Morton Arboretum as well as a sneak peek of the new sculptures by Polish-American artist Olga Ziemska called “Of the Earth”, which officially opens on Friday, May 26, 2023 and will be at The Morton Arboretum through Spring 2025.
In Polish, Ziemska means “of the earth.” Her work will is created from reclaimed tree branches and other natural materials gathered from various locations throughout the Arboretum’s 1,700 acres. Ziemska said that some of the Arboretum’s tree-filled landscapes inspired her because they reminded her of the landscapes of Poland, where she has previously lived and regularly visits her family.
Everything in life is derived from the same basic elements that form everything in nature, including ourselves. There is no separation.
Olga Ziemska
Where can you find the sculptures at The Morton Arboretum?
Let’s go on a self-guided tour to get a sneak peek of all five sculptures from “Of the Earth”!
We found that with little kids it’s best to see the sculptures that you need to drive to first, then end with walking to the last two and playing at the Children’s Garden. So that’s the route that we will take you on now.
When you enter The Morton Arboretum from the guard gate, instead of parking in the main parking lot by the visitor’s center, take a left and drive on the street that goes along the backside of the parking lot, which is P1 (Parking Lot P-1).
You’ll notice that there start to be places to pull over with a few parking spots that are labeled P2, P3, etc. The first sculpture is near P4.
Strata
Inspired by a recurring theme in Ziemska’s work that considers the “body as landscape,” Strata is a 45-foot-long reclining female figure emerging from the ground at the base of a hill in the Crabapple Collection.
There are signs saying, “Exhibition in Progress. Please do not touch or climb.” Please note that this one is really tempting to climb. It’s covered with turf on top and almost creates a ramp for kids to walk up. While you walk towards this one it’s best to prepare your kids not to touch.
Get back in the car and drive to P14. Note: Don’t take alternate routes that veer to the left. There isn’t a shortcut to P14 and you don’t want to miss the next one!
Oculus
Oculus comprises two 10-foot-tall human head profiles fit with hundreds of varying sizes of tree cookies, or the cross-sections of a tree, and mirrored eyes that reflect the surrounding Maple Collection and yourselves.
These are fun to peek through or take pictures of reflections in the eyes. Very creative!
The next sculpture is on the other side of the Arboretum, so it’s a longer drive than the first two. (Did you know that there are miles of roads at The Morton Arboretum? It’s a great place to take a drive, hike, or bike.)
Get back in your car and continue driving to pass through to the west side. You’ll see a sign that directs you to the Main Gate, gatehouse, Visitor Center, and Main parking lot, but you do not want to go that way. Instead, head under the bridge and continue along the main route over the DuPage River until you get to P20.
Ona
Ona “she” in Polish is the sole sculpture situated on the Arboretum’s West Side The 14-foot-tall piece depicts a woman with wind-swept tree branch hair and mirrored eyes. The movement in the hair is impressive!
That concludes the driving portion of the exhibit, so you can head back to the main parking lot and walk from there. The next sculpture is right near the Visitor Center.
Stillness in Motion: The Matka Series
Of the Earth’s signature piece, is the newest in Ziemska’s Matka “mother” in Polish series, following versions in Romania and Poland The 6-foot-tall female figure is composed mostly of willow tree branches.
Finally, head to the left until you get to Meadow Lake, then go right along the concrete path to see the final sculpture.
Hear: With an ear to the ground
Hear is a 5-foot-tall horizontal human head that appears to be at rest in its natural surroundings with Meadow Lake as its backdrop.
You can also see this one from the edge of the Children’s Garden. Keep reading below for a taste of what you will find at the Children’s Garden, which we highly recommend visiting.
About Olga Ziemska
Olga Ziemska is a sculptor and artist who lives and works in Cleveland, Ohio. She has had residencies with the Centre of Polish Sculpture in Poland, YATOO International in Korea, RespirArt Sculpture Park in the Dolomite Mountains of Italy and the Taoyuan Land Art Festival in Taiwan. Among her prestigious grants and awards were a Fulbright Fellowship and a Creative Workforce Fellowship.
In 2007, Ziemska was selected as a Wendy L. Moore Emerging Artist by the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland. Ziemska was selected by Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery as a 2018 Woman Artist to Watch. She is a graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design and an alumnus of the Rhode Island School of Design.
Ziemska has built a career in the male-dominated art world, exploring her multiple identities as a first-generation child of Polish immigrants, an American, an artist, a woman and a human. She has exhibited and created public installations in Poland, Taiwan, Italy, South Korea, Mexico and other locations globally in a career spanning more than 20 years.
The exhibition “Of the Earth” will run through spring 2025.
Human+Nature
This article originally published on May 20, 2021.
We have all the details and a map so you can find your way to all five sculptures!
The Morton Arboretum’s next outdoor art exhibition, Human+Nature opens Friday, May 28, 2021.
Pronounced “human nature,” it is the first major U.S. exhibition by renowned South African artist Daniel Popper, and his largest to date anywhere in the world. The five 15- to 26-foot-tall sculptures created exclusively for the Arboretum will remain in their various locations across the 1,700-acre Arboretum for at least one year. Access to the exhibition is included free with timed-entry admission to the Arboretum. On the East Side, a short walk from the Visitor Center, you can step within a huge female figure, as if into the heart of nature.
Built to create a sense of awe and wonder, the nature-inspired sculptures reflect how trees are at the heart of the Arboretum’s mission, work, and vision for the future. Made of glass-reinforced concrete, wood, fiberglass and steel, each sculpture weighs several metric tons. The exhibition includes:
- Hallow, a 26-foot tall figure that welcomes Arboretum guests along Meadow Lake near the Visitor Center. (East Side)
- UMI, a 20.5-foot tall majestic maternal figure surrounded by magnolia trees. (East Side)
- Sentient, an 18-foot tall figure featuring diverse human facial traits interwoven with root structures that borders the Japan Collection along the Loop 1 Trail. (East Side)
- Heartwood, a 15.5-foot tall bisected face in the Europe Collection that evokes the interconnectedness of humans and trees. (West Side)
- Basilica, 37-foot long open hands that reach out to guests from mature oak trees in Daffodil Glade. (West Side)
“Each sculpture has a story behind it, but I like to leave the questions about each piece a little bit open, so people can come and bring their own ideas to it. I want people to come here and ask questions of themselves about their relationship with nature.”
Daniel Popper
About the Artist, Daniel Popper
Daniel Popper is a multidisciplinary artist known globally for his larger-than-life sculptures. From Cape Town, South Africa, he is most acclaimed for his massive and spectacular public art installations, including the memorial sculpture for the Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, and sculptures for popular events such as the Boom Festival in Portugal and Rainbow Serpent Festival in Australia.
Admission Rates and Timed Entry
Human+Nature is included in general admission. All guests, including members, must reserve advance, date-specific, timed-entry admission online to ensure moderated attendance levels. The Arboretum is providing exclusive access to members for the hours 7 to 9 a.m. daily. Guest access is from 9 a.m. to the last entry time (currently 5 p.m.). For more information, visit the Know Before You Go visit information page.
Admission rates to The Morton Arboretum are $15 for adults ages 18 to 64, $13 for seniors ages 65 and older, $10 for children ages 2 to 17 and free for children younger than age 2. On Wednesdays, admission is $10 for adults ages 18 to 64, $9 for seniors ages 65 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 17. Parking is free with admission. Members receive free general admission all year long.
All pricing and hours are as of May, 2021 and are subject to change. Click here for the current admission rates.
Map of Human+Nature: Sculpture Locations
Click on the map below for a larger version. Sculptures can be found at each of the circles labeled “H+N”.
Troll Hunt
This section originally published on May 23, 2018 as its own article. Troll Hunt was at The Morton Arboretum from June 22, 2018 through January 31, 2021.
Danish artist Thomas Dambo and crews of woodworkers and volunteers are busy constructing the mammoth and mythical creatures of Troll Hunt, a new exhibition debuting at The Morton Arboretum on June 22!
In creating the creatures of Troll Hunt, Dambo puts to use hundreds of pieces of reclaimed wood–battered boards, fallen trees and branches, and the remains of pallets and packing crates. Some trolls are situated in plain sight, while others are hidden off paths among the trees.
Currently, there are five trolls under construction and there will ultimately be seven. When you drive into the Arboretum, you will most likely catch a glimpse of this guy near the parking lot.
As you walk around Meadow Lake (the lake right near the Visitor’s Center and Children’s Garden), this troll is laying down in the grass between some large bushes!
We decided to hike to the next troll. It is a peaceful walk down mulched paths, past streams, and through forests. We even discovered some nice resting benches and a beautiful painting of magnolia flowers along the way.
I need to warn you that it is a really long walk. My fourth grader enjoyed it, but my second grader started getting tired. If you decide to go that route, take bug spray because you will probably encounter some mosquitos in the wooded areas.
However, the walk is worth it because we found the start of an enormous troll sitting in the grass and holding a huge branch. These sculptures are amazing.
We then headed back towards the Visitor’s Center, hopped in the car, and drove to the rest of the trolls on the west side of the property. The loop takes you past the troll below first. Check out the scale! This one is created to look like it is leaning against a tree.
Lastly, we got to see the Troll crew in action! We met Julian, a member of the crew who is originally from New York. He said he met the crew when he moved to Denmark. Although most of the crew is originally from Denmark, other nearby countries are represented as well. A man from Latvia and another from the Faroe Islands was working on one of the trolls today. They are truly talented!
On weekdays through June 21, you may get to meet the artist and his team crafting these larger-than-life beings from recycled materials in various locations throughout the grounds of the Arboretum. You are welcomed to stop by the Arboretum’s Visitor Center for the daily schedule.
Ways to See the Trolls
I highly recommend that you pick up a map at the Visitor Center. It has orange dots where each of the seven troll sculptures can be found. It’s an adventure, even with the map.
Walk
All of the paths we encountered were mulched, so this route would be difficult with a stroller. It’s more of a hike than a walk, so if you are up for getting a lot of exercise, go for it!
Bike
You can bring your own bikes or rent them there to ride along the paved roads. We have rented bikes and a Burley at The Morton Arboretum and the ride is really nice.
Drive
If you are solely on a mission to see the trolls, you can drive and stop along the way. For the most part, there aren’t designated parking areas, but we saw several cars parked along the edge of the roads.
Tram
The Acorn Express is an hour long tram ride that includes a narrated tour. It is noted that tram tours sell out, so it’s advised that you purchase tickets in advanced or right when you arrive. The Acorn Express can accommodate up to two manual wheelchairs per tour.
Troll Hunt Highlights
Built to be both mischievous and thought-provoking, the trolls of Troll Hunt invite visitors to interact with them, while elements of the exhibition encourage visitors to consider their personal responsibility as stewards of our environment. For example:
- One troll is going to be kneeling near a “trap,” a simple wooden crate propped open with a stick. One end of a string will be tied to the stick while the other end will be clasped in its hand as the creature waits to catch a human for study.
- One troll will be sitting next to a tree, holding a long rod that crosses a low-hanging tree branch. At the end of the rod a net will be dangling so visitors can climb into to be “captured.”
Additionally, a troll “hideout” tucked away in a wooded glen will give troll seekers a glimpse into the way these creatures live.
About Thomas Dambo
Thomas Dambo collects and reuses wood that would otherwise be wasted for his whimsical, epic-scale sculptures, which he has erected from Denmark to Australia. He got his start turning scrap wood into birdhouses–some 3,500 so far in cities from Beirut to Berlin–and now his art can be found around the globe. Each of his pieces convey the importance of sustainability, a mission shared by The Morton Arboretum as it works toward a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world through the planting, care of and conservation of trees. Dambo may be best known for the Six Forgotten Giants, enormous characters created from discarded wood pallets scattered throughout his home city of Copenhagen.
Origami in the Garden
This section originally published on July 18, 2017 as its own article. Origami in the Garden was at The Morton Arboretum from July through October 22, 2017.
We had the pleasure of going to The Morton Arboretum to see Origami in the Garden this past weekend. Have you seen it yet? It is a nice, relaxing walk around the arboretum and we enjoyed reading about the meaning and inspiration behind each of these sculptures.
As you walk along the path, enjoy and admire beautiful metal sculptures that look like they are folded paper. Some of them were fascinating, others were delicate, and all of them were amazing and impressively constructed!
We recommend you start your walk to the right, around the hedge garden as you enter and go past the Visitor Center, then wind around the paved paths. The Conifer Loop is a must see and is a wood chip path that goes around many extinct evergreens. Some of our favorite sculptures are in that loop!
There are 25 sculptures in all and you can follow the red and blue signs with arrows to see them all. You can also choose a shorter loop if you are not up for walking the entire exhibit.
The Morton Arboretum is having a photo contest, so be sure to tag your photos on social media with #OrigamiTMA for your chance to win a $100 Arboretum gift card. You can also tag them with #mykidlist so we can share your great shots!
The Morton Arboretum
4100 IL Route 53
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 968-0074
