For Immediate Release
Feb. 13, 2009
Though the official start of spring isn’t until March 20, the recent break in winter weather no doubt has DuPage County outdoor enthusiasts looking forward to the season that sees new growth and new life blooming in prairies, woodlands and wetlands. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is looking forward to that time as well, and has many developments and programs underway that will advance its three-pronged mission of conservation, education and recreation. Locations across DuPage County will be growing forward as ground will be broken for new research and recreational facilities, expanded programs will bring new visitors to the outdoors, and habitat-restoration work will create better conditions for native plants and animals to thrive.
As Forest Preserve District President D. "Dewey" Pierotti Jr. states, "It’s exciting to see years of careful planning yield such a variety of valuable projects. The Board of Commissioners continues to be guided by its strong belief in the preservation of open space and the availability of educational and recreational opportunities for all visitors to enjoy.
"It’s important to note that many of these projects are funded in whole or in part by grants," Pierotti continued. "The Board of Commissioners is committed to maintaining the highest level of fiscal integrity. The District has strong reserves, low debt levels and is conservative in its spending. Even in light of our nation’s challenging economic situation, we anticipate no staff cuts or reduction in services."
Every year, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County welcomes over 3 million visitors to 25,000 acres at 60 forest preserves. To learn more about the many programs and places of the Forest Preserve District, call 630-933-7200, or visit www.dupageforest.com.
Efforts Continue to Transform St. James Farm From a Private Estate Into a Public Facility
Substantial changes are underway at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville to convert this former private estate, working farm and equestrian facility to a space usable by the public. Many buildings on the 607-acre property have historic significance, and the District is working to maintain and restore their character. Recently, the District contracted with an outside architectural group to analyze 23 high-priority structures for safety, accessibility and building-code compliance. The group will also study proposed locations for a main entrance. This information will be used in the ongoing master planning for St. James Farm.
The forest preserve will continue to be open to visitors on select dates during the year, offering opportunities for hiking, fishing and exploration of the property’s unique features. Several new educational programs and special events are in development, including the "Homecoming Celebration at St. James" on May 23, 2009.
Donations Hasten Restoration and New Programs Bring Visitors to Mayslake Peabody Estate
As ongoing restoration work restores the character of the historic Mayslake Hall in Oak Brook, Mayslake Peabody Estate continues to develop new cultural offerings. A collaboration with the PianoForte Foundation and WDCB Public Radio will continue to bring dynamic jazz performances to the hall. A new series is in development to offer classical-music performances as well. An ongoing partnership with First Folio Theatre will offer new productions of classic works throughout the year. The hall has several indoor spaces suitable for daytime meetings and functions as well. Call 630-850-2363 for rental information.
Awarded in 2008, a donation totaling $125,000 over five years from Peabody Energy will be allocated to the restoration projects most in need. Such a project is underway in the living room and solarium, funded by both part of the Peabody donation and a grant from the American Express Partners in Preservation program. Work includes ornamental plaster and paint restoration; custom window and door fabrication and installation; historic, zinc-leaded glass window restoration and reinstallation; and restoration of exterior masonry, stucco and carpentry.
The estate is also home to the District’s annual native-plant sale, taking place May 8 and 9, 2009. Expert staff will be on hand to help gardeners choose among the species adapted to our area and make plans for plantings. Proceeds from the sale benefit the District’s educational programs.
New "Kids Trout Fishing Day" at Wood Dale Grove
Grove Lake at Wood Dale Grove Forest Preserve in Wood Dale is a perennially popular location for anglers and is one of three District lakes stocked with rainbow trout for the spring and fall seasons. This spring season’s opening day on April 4 will be a little different at Grove Lake, though. Until noon that day, fishing access will be restricted to kids ages 15 and under. This new "Kids Trout Fishing Day" is designed to help kids get excited about fishing and will include trout-fishing tips and tricks from staff and volunteers. At noon, the lake will open to all anglers. (Those ages 16 and older must carry a valid Illinois fishing license with an inland trout stamp.) And to ensure that anglers of all ages will have plenty of fish to catch, the lake will be stocked with additional trout. For more information on the District’s catchable trout program, call 630-933-7668.
Big Projects Bring Big Changes to Blackwell
There’s a reason — actually several reasons — that Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville is the District’s most popular forest preserve. It has public recreational facilities found nowhere else in DuPage County, such as a family campground, an archery range, and a 62-acre lake featuring a boat ramp and boat rental. Construction beginning in 2009 will expand the archery range into a recreational complex including a larger archery range offering two static ranges over open turf and an interactive range in a natural setting, a 3-acre picnic area with a 50-person picnic shelter, a new trailhead and a larger parking lot. A wheelchair-accessible pier will be built at the adjacent Sand Pond, which is now open for catch-and-release fishing and will be stocked with fish. The project is funded by a grant from the Open Space Lands Acquisition Development program and is expected to be complete in 2010.
Two parcels acquired in 2008 enlarged Blackwell by over 45 acres. In 2009, ground will be broken at one of the parcels for a new urban stream research center. Construction will be funded largely by a $2.9 million federal grant. The center will offer research facilities and focus on the reintroduction of mussels, nongame fish and other aquatic organisms that have long been absent from the DuPage River system.
Restoration of the West Branch of the DuPage River is complete within Blackwell, and the Catbird Trail and northern sections of the Regional Trail have reopened. The Regional Trail features a bridge over the new 4.2-acre groundwater-fed Sanctuary Pond. With depths from 6 inches to 20 feet, the pond will serve as both a nursery and overwintering refuge for native game and nongame fish of the DuPage River.
Healthy Grassland Habitat at Hawk Hollow
Hawk Hollow Forest Preserve in Hanover Park is home to a 300-acre grassland, one of the few remaining uninterrupted tracts of its kind in DuPage County. Uncommon birds like Henslow’s sparrows, bobolinks, grasshopper sparrows, and savannah sparrows have been observed resting and breeding at the preserve in recent years. These species rely on short-stature grasses for breeding, nesting, foraging and overwintering. Few of these types of habitats remain throughout the nation, and these birds’ populations have diminished. Restoration work at Hawk Hollow is creating a more open habitat with appealing native plants in hopes of offering struggling populations of grassland birds much-needed habitat right here in DuPage County. Removal of exotic plants has already taken place in the south and east portions. Crews will be planting and seeding there in spring. In fall, removal will begin in the north and west portions, with planting and seeding the following spring. Over half of the project’s cost is funded by a $170,765 Natural Resources Conservation Service Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program grant, which promotes the restoration of declining or important wildlife habitats and the protection and enhancement of habitats of at-risk species.
River, Fen and Wetland Restoration Break Ground Together
Three projects will create healthier habitat at West Branch Forest Preserve in Bartlett. The most unusual will enhance a 25-acre calciferous fen, the only one of its kind in the Forest Preserve District. Some of the rarest of wetland communities, many fens in northern Illinois were drained and ultimately lost to development. Unique water flows will be restored at the site, which will support healthy communities of plants such as skunk cabbage, marsh marigold and great angelica. On the West Branch of the DuPage River within the preserve, alterations will stop erosion of its banks and increase its floodwater-storage capacity. Also, approximately 90 acres of former wetland will be restored. Portions of the river and fen projects may be funded by monies from the 2006 voter-approved referendum, and the District is actively seeking grants to offset costs. The wetland restoration is part of mitigation efforts for runway expansion at O’Hare International Airport, and funds for the work were provided by the City of Chicago. Work on the combined three projects is scheduled to begin in fall.
Fishing Lake and Wildlife Viewing Area to Open
Scheduled to open to the public in summer, the 20-acre Harrier Lake is the newest public offering at Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in Wayne. A parking lot off Stearns Road will offer easy access, and a walking path circling the area will present bird-watching and wildlife viewing opportunities. Anglers will want to try their skill in the waters, as fish stockings include fingerling-sized smallmouth bass, walleye, perch, and channel catfish. Developed from a former quarry, management efforts at the lake have already yielded positive results. Birds and turtles have been seen there, and some aquatic plants are already growing.
Partnerships and Programs Connect Kids and Nature
The District remains committed to helping kids develop a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. The "Family Expeditions" program continues to evolve and in 2009 will offer new activities to encourage families to explore the outdoors together. Expanded special events at the District’s five educational centers will provide fun throughout the year.
Partnerships with other agencies offer a chance for combined efforts to create unique and far-reaching educational benefits. One such partnership is the Earth Partnership for Schools Program, which provides training and resources to teams of teachers and support staff from elementary and high schools. School teams in turn develop curriculum for their classrooms drawing on all subjects and ultimately carry out a native planting project on school grounds. Educator teams attend a training institute on July 27 – 31, 2009, and receive support throughout the school year. The EPS-Chicago Partnership consists of education staff members from the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and Lake County Forest Preserves. For information on the program and application materials, call the Chicago Botanic Garden at 847-835-8253.
Savanna Restoration Continues at Waterfall Glen
With its savanna, prairie and woodland habitats, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien is home to the District’s most diverse plant and animal populations. Previous woodland restoration projects have resulted in documented increases in the presence and abundance of bird and butterfly species as well as the recovery of ground vegetation. A nesting pair of red-headed woodpeckers, listed by the state as a "species in greatest need of conservation," was found colonizing a recently managed area in Bluff Savanna.
In 2009, work will continue on a selective brush-removal project on approximately 80 acres of woodland across multiple sites. The District’s goal is to remove invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle brush and restore these woodlands to healthier, thriving communities. The savanna is especially valuable to woodland birds as it is the largest tract of continuous forest within the District. It provides critical feeding and resting habitat for migrating forest birds.
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Media Contact: Bonnie Olszewski, Office of Public Affairs, 630-871-6402