Introducing the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden at the Obama Presidential Center

We’re excited to be part of this inspiring project; in collaboration with the Obama Foundation, Windy City Harvest—the urban agriculture program of the Chicago Botanic Garden—helped design the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden, a green community space at the new Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side.

The campus and garden officially opened to the public on June 19, 2026, so come visit this summer!

The 3,100-square-foot rooftop garden is located on top of a new Chicago Public Library branch. Inspired by Mrs. Obama’s White House Kitchen Garden, planted when she was first lady, the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden invites visitors to discover how we grow food, and the importance of sustainable urban agriculture for our communities. Windy City Harvest staff will continue to run the garden, lending their horticultural expertise to help it flourish.

With 74 raised beds and nine perimeter beds, the garden includes fruits, vegetables, herbs, and companion plants, all grown with organic methods. From Swiss chard to sugar snap peas, onions, and tomatoes, plantings will change with the seasons, attract pollinators, and show visitors what’s possible to grow here in Chicago. An accessible design encourages all community members to experience and enjoy this nourishing space.

Community Connections

The Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden will host community programming focused on wellness and the power of food. This summer, in partnership with the Urban Growers Collective, programming kicks off with Summer Garden Gatherings every other week from July 12 to September 20, featuring music and hands-on gardening activities; find more info here.

Produce harvested at the garden will be donated to local community organizations, ensuring that what we grow here helps nourish our city.