was placed in the center and dedicated in the spring of 2007 and the pool was refilled in late summer 2008. Parakeet nests In the 1980s, a dozen or so South American monk parakeets were released into the park directly across the street from the Hampton House. They settled in a large ash tree. By the summer of 1988, bird watchers counted two dozen birds in the original tree. The population has continued to redouble frequently. The flock, known to many as Harold's parakeets (after the former mayor for whom the park is named), has grown to a few hundred birds that nest throughout this park, Burnham Park and Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago. The original tree became infested with termites and collapsed on June 12, 2004. Over 50 birds were displaced by the collapse. The nests were replaced in other nearby trees. Birdwatchers come from around the world to see this flock of birds. The birds have been a hotly contested issue pitting the U.S. Department of Agriculture against local politicians and the Harold Washington Memorial Parrot Defense Fund. Alternate theories for the original population of birds are Harold Washington released a dozen or so birds during his local residence. A small flock of the birds escaped from a commercial shipment. A small flock of the birds escaped from a residential birdcage. Regardless of their origins, the flock was ably defended by the Mayor who foiled attempts to have them removed from the local park. In 2021, a mural entitled "Harold's Parakeets" was commissioned near the park to commemorate the Mayor and the Parakeets. See also Washington Park, Chicago (Community area) Notes External links HydePark.org Google Maps Parks in Chicago South Side, Chicago 1906 establishments in Illinois