🌿 Project Overview
In 2014, Matthew Stephens initiated and led the creation of Chicago’s first urban food forest—transforming an underused plot of land into a thriving, edible ecosystem. This page is an archival monument to the work, the vision, and the legacy of a project that proved what’s possible in the heart of a city.
📸 Before & After (Satellite/Drone)
📅 Timeline (2014 – Destruction)
- 2014: Initial site prep, planting begins
- 2015–2018: Community workshops, plantings, harvests
- 2019: Site neglected by new management
- 2020–2021: Trees removed, destruction begins
- 2022: Site abandoned
📷 Photo Gallery (Year by Year)
📐 Design Drawings & Maps
Original site plans, guild layouts, and planting maps:
🎥 Videos & Interviews
📰 Press / Mentions
🔥 What Happened: The Truth
Despite the project's success, Matthew was pushed out by hostile actors with no vision or care for the land. After seizing control, they abandoned and destroyed the food forest—turning hope into heartbreak. This page stands as a record and reminder of both the brilliance and fragility of community-led projects.
🌍 Legacy & The Future
This was more than a garden—it was a model for resilient, decentralized food systems. The lessons and designs live on. Let this page serve as a toolkit and story for anyone ready to try again, in any city, anywhere.
📖 Download Archive
🤝 Contact / Collaborate
If you're inspired to help document, build, or support future projects, contact Matthew: your@email.com