Garden Poles Bloom Again at the 2026 Garden Walk

The 2026 Garden Walk was filled with beautiful gardens, creative spaces, and unexpected works of art, including the return of the Forest Park Arts Alliance Garden Pole installation. Thanks to the help of the Park District of Forest Park, these unique pieces found a new home and brought an extra layer of creativity to this year’s walk.
Originally displayed at Constitution Court, the garden poles are a wonderful example of how public art can transform a space and invite the community to slow down, look closer, and appreciate the creativity around them. Surrounded by gardens, plants, and visitors throughout the day, the poles felt right at home as part of this year’s Garden Walk.
The installation featured four unique pieces from local artists:
Garage Organic by Anthony Izzo
Using materials found in the H&R Auto garage that the Park District moved into, Anthony Izzo transformed everyday objects into a one-of-a-kind garden sculpture. The piece incorporates items including nuts, bolts, chicken wire, zip ties, and leftover rubber squares from the construction of the Forest Park Aquatic Center splash pad. Izzo’s vision was to create something that looked almost alive, as if it might “burst out of the ground” and become part of the landscape itself.
Peppy Petals by Tamara Koransky
Bright, bold, and full of personality, Tamara Koransky’s floral-inspired garden pole celebrates the joy of color. The Oak Park artist and elementary school teacher created the piece with inspiration from her love of floral mandala artwork, spending more than 12 hours painting the vibrant flowers that cover the pole.
Anniversary by Steve Metro
Created by retired engineer and lifelong woodworker Steve Metro, this red, white, and blue piece commemorates America’s 250th anniversary. The twisted wood elements give the sculpture a sense of movement, bringing energy and life to the garden. The piece was donated by Metro to the Forest Park Arts Alliance auction and purchased by Garden Walk organizer Kristen Lyons, who wanted to make sure the community could enjoy this simple yet beautiful creation.
Green Man Exposed by Bridget Lane
Blending handmade ceramics with living greenery, Bridget Lane’s sculpture reflects her passion for bringing art into everyday life. Inspired by her years working with clay, Lane created a piece that celebrates nature, regeneration, and our connection to the environment. She generously donated the garden pole to the Park District of Forest Park.
The Garden Pole installation is a perfect representation of the creativity and community spirit that makes Forest Park special. Whether through gardening, sculpture, woodworking, ceramics, or repurposed materials, these artists remind us that beauty can be found in unexpected places.
A special thank you to the Forest Park Arts Alliance, Anthony Izzo, the Park District of Forest Park, and all of the artists who helped bring this project to life and make the Garden Walk even more inspiring.