forest preserve north cook county
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Elmwood Park
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Metra Milwaukee District West Line
Metra Union Pacific West Line
Harry H. SemrowDriving Range
Indian BoundaryGolf Course
SeeRegion 5
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City of Des PlainesTrail Segment
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Region 3: Overview
0 1 20.5Miles
NOTE:Mileage is approximated to the closest tenth of a mile.
Reverse Side
Current View
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
316-48 OF 48 (SEE REVERSE SIDE)
16 Axehead Lake17 Belleau Lake18 Big Bend Lake19 Blandings Grove Family Picnic Area20 Blue Beach Family Picnic Area21 Camp Ground Road Woods22 Catherine Chevalier Woods23 Che-Che-Pin-Qua Woods24 Chippewa Woods25 Dam No. 4 Woods-East26 Evans Field27 Fullerton Woods28 Fullerton Woods Family Picnic Area29 Harry H. Semrow Driving Range30 Indian Boundary Family Picnic Area31 Indian Boundary Golf Course32 Iroquois Woods33 Irving Park Road Canoe Landing34 Jerome Huppert Woods35 John E. Traeger Family Picnic Area36 Kloempken Prairie37 Lions Woods38 Northwestern Woods39 River Bend Family Picnic Area40 Robinson Homestead Family Picnic Area41 Robinson Woods-South42 Schiller Model Airplane Flying Field43 Schiller Playfield44 Schiller Pond45 Schiller Woods-East46 Schiller Woods-South47 Schiller Woods-West48 Sunset Bridge Meadow
Activity Areas
15 Des Plaines (Unpaved)Trail Systems
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Celebrate the seasons in the forest preserves along the Des Plaines Rivercorridor. In spring, watch chipmunks scamper over a forest floor carpetedwith the blooms of wildflowers like hepatica, spring beauty and trillium,while bluebirds and mourning cloak butterflies flutter in the sky above.
In summer, stroll down preserve trails beneath the shade of a leafy forestcanopy. Listen as cicadas buzz and scarlet tanagers and Baltimore oriolessing their melodious songs. Look for fawns hiding in the woods and spidersspinning intricate webs.
Return in fall to take in the postcard view of autumn maples coloring thelandscape, or fish along the river bank or lake shore at sunrise. Canoe thetranquil waterway to look for herons, kingfishers and mink. Shuffle alongtrails covered with fallen leaves.
In winter, investigate animal stories left behind as tracks in fresh snow,or marvel at winter trees glistening with icy snow. Listen for hooting owlsand howling coyotes during a full moon. Use your imaginationto discover nature.
Exercise your mind as you exercise your body. Your tools are your eyes,ears, nose and fingertips. Like the wildlife thriving in our forest preserves, werely on our senses for survival. Challenge yourself to be more aware of thebeauty around you by using your senses of sight, hearing, smell and touch.Try these ideas to get started:
Look at the colors around you. Are all greens the same? Why are birds andinsects different colors?
Trees have different shapes, leaves make varying patterns – what else can yousee? What function do different patterns have?
Listen! Bird and insect songs, frog calls, leaves rustling in the wind – nature isfull of music.
Follow your nose through different habitats. Wetlands have a different odorthan prairies or woodlands. Why do flowers have special scents? Whatinsects do they attract? Watch out for bees!
Touch leaves and tree bark – but beware of poison ivy!
Look up into the forest canopy to discover bird nests and squirrel homes.Look down to find tracks of animals that have passed this way. Follow tracksto learn about animals’ homes and foods.
There is so much to explore in the Des Plaines River region. Use your imagi-nation to discover nature.
HABITAT MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION
As unique and diverse as those of the Earth’s rainforests, the Forest PreserveDistrict’s native habitats are home to thousands of species of plants andanimals. Come read from this living library of prairies, savannas, woodlands and wetlands—we invite you to come back again and again, for eachseason brings a new adventure.
Natural areas in urban settings often rely on a variety of managementactions to keep them healthy and diverse. Staff and volunteers help restoreand maintain biodiversity by monitoring plant and animal life, controllinginvasive species and propagating native plants.
Designated management sites in Region 3 offer a variety of habitats likethe prairie and oak savanna restoration at Kloempken Prairie, the oakwoodland and prairie in Schiller Woods, and oak flatwoods at River TrailNature Center.
ILLINOIS NATURE PRESERVES
Sites of state-wide significance due to the presence of rare plants andanimals and/or significant natural and geological features have beendesignated as Illinois Nature Preserves by the Illinois Nature PreservesCommission. Nature preserves receive additional legal protection for theirunique natural areas and habitats. Details can be found on the web at:www.dnr.state.il.us/inpc .
RIVER TRAIL NATURE CENTER (847) 824-8360
River Trail Nature Center offers a variety of public programs and trails for exploring. Enjoy a quiet moment on the trails of River Trail Nature Center. Maple syrup-making demonstrations for school groups and the general public highlight spring renewal in the forest. Working bee hives are a feature of fall programs. A child-friendly fishing area on the Des Plaines River is adjacent to the exhibit building. Displays of raptors and other non-releasable native animals provide an introduction to the Region’s wildlife. Evening campfire talks, programs for children of all ages and many other events are offered to expand your knowledge of local natural history.
Courtesy of Paul Dacker
DiscoverNATURE
Preserves are open sunrise - sunset 365 days a yearWebsite: www.fpdcc.com
Snapping Turtle
Note: while not all activities are available in each region, they may beavailable in a region nearby. Please refer to the Forest Preserve District-wide
map for locations of all activities.
No Alcohol
Swimming Pool
Nature Center
Fishing
Boat Ramp
Sledding
Equestrian TrailerParking
Birding Hotspot
Hiking
EcologicalManagement Site
Shelter
Picnic Grove Canoe Landing
Snowmobiling
Model Boat Area
Model AirplaneFlying Field
Camping-YouthGroup Only
Dog FriendlyArea
Golfing
Cycling
In-line Skating
Cross-CountrySkiing
No Parking
Road
Highway
Tree Cover
Metra LineRailroad
Trail Information Parking Lot Bridge Activity Area
Lake orPond
Mile Marker
Unpaved Trail Paved TrailDistrict AdministrativeFacility
Boat rentalsavailable at this siteGas-powered boatlaunch at this siteLarge capacity grove
Dam
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ICONS & NOTATIONS
EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
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LAKE COUNTY
See Region 4
River TrailNature Center
To Forest Preserve Districtof Lake County Trail System
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Region 3: Overview
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REGION 3 MAP OF NATURAL AREAS & ACTIVITIES
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YOUR FOREST PRESERVES
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Preserves are open sunrise-sunset 365 days a year
LiveHEALTHY
ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES
PICNICKING: Picnicking is the most popular use of the preserves. Fromquiet family gatherings to large group outings, District picnic areas are aninvitation to enjoy the outdoors. Each picnic area in the Region providesparking, port-o-lets, picnic tables, trash receptacles and a meadow for play.Many areas have picnic shelters.
Groups of 25 or more must have a picnic permit. Picnic permits may be obtained fromthe District’s website at www.fpdcc.com or at the District’s headquarters located at536 N. Harlem Avenue, River Forest, 60305, Monday-Friday,9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Please observe regulations printed on the permit.
TRAILS: Are you looking for a short break or an all day adventure? There’sa trail for you in the forest preserves! Stress relief and healthy exercise areat your doorstep on miles of trails that meander along streams, forests andmeadows to reveal the wonders of nature. Fresh air and exercise are only afew steps away.
All trails are open for Hiking, Jogging, Dog Walking and Cross-Country Skiing (with suitable snow cover). The Des Plaines River Trailfollows the river for most of its length from Lake Cook Road south toNorth Avenue. Dogs must be leashed.
Bicycling is permitted on the Des Plaines unpaved trail, offering approxi-mately 18 miles of trails through hilly and wooded areas.
HORSEBACK RIDING: The Des Plaines River Trail is available for horse-back riding. Horse trailer parking is available at Big Bend Lake and Dam No.1 Woods-East. District rider and horse licenses are required for riding andmay be obtained for a fee at the District’s headquarters.
BECK LAKE DOG FRIENDLY AREA: The Beck Lake Dog Friendly Area(DFA) provides a safe, friendly environment for dog owners to legallyunleash their dogs. These 25 acres are a place where the whole family canspend time together or enjoy a walk with their canine companions. BeckLake is just south of East River Road and west of I-294, onCentral Ave. All dogs must be licensed. For more information visitwww.becklakedogs.org.
FISHING AND BOATING: Seven lakes and ponds in the Region are managed for hook-and-line fishing, and many preserves offer access to the Des Plaines River. Beck and Big Bend Lakes have boat launch ramps, and there are canoe launches at Allison Woods and off of River Road at Irving Park Road. State fishing regulations apply. For information on size and daily catch limits, visit www.fpdcc.com. Swimming is prohibited in District lakes and ponds.
ICE FISHING: Ice fishing is permitted on designated lakes and ponds.Check the website or call for a list of designated waters each winter.
BIRD WATCHING: The District is renowned for its nesting, migrantand overwintering bird life—nearly 300 species of birds have been seenin the Region in a variety of habitats. River Trail Nature Center is an excel-lent place for an introduction to the migrant and nesting birds of the DesPlaines corridor.
MODEL AIRCRAFT: Schiller Model Airplane Flying Field is designatedfor model aircraft flying. Membership in the Academy of ModelAeronautics is required.
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FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY
General Headquarters:536 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest, IL 60305
Phone: (800) 870-36668:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Emergency Services: 911
Volunteer Hotline: (773) 631-1790
Website: www.fpdcc.com
FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTYBOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MISSION AND PURPOSE
The State of Illinois passed legislation in 1914 allowing Cook County toestablish a forest preserve system. In 1915, the FPDCC acquired its firstnatural area and since then has acquired, restored and managed naturalforests, prairies and other lands, to protect and preserve theirflora, fauna and scenic beauty for the education, enjoyment andrecreation of the public.
Today, the District manages a dynamic number of approximately 68,000acres of land, 80 percent of which remain in a wild or semi-wild naturalstate, and hundreds of miles of shoreline along rivers, creeks, lakes, pondsand sloughs. The District remains committed to acquiring its legislative limitof 75,000 acres.
To learn more about the Board of Commissioners,visit us online at www.fpdcc.com.
This brochure was funded by a grant from the USDA Forest Service
PRESERVE A HEALTHY LEGACY
Everything the District offers, from managing rare habitats and educationalevents to working at River Trail Nature Center, is enriched by the efforts ofactive volunteers. Call the Volunteer Resources Team at (773) 631-1790 orvisit our website at www.fpdcc.com for a wide range of opportunities available throughout the Region.
VolunteerOPPORTUNITIES
Preserves are open sunrise-sunset 365 days a year
MODEL BOATING: Potowatami Lake is designated for model boating.
KITE FLYING: Many designated picnic groves have large open meadowsthat are ideal for flying kites. Schiller Woods is an excellent location.
GOLFING: In Region 3, you’ll find the 18-hole Indian Boundary GolfCourse which is both scenic and challenging, with its heavily wooded lay-out and strategically placed water and sand. The Harry H. Semrow DrivingRange is a year-round, lighted facility with 73 stalls. Golfing information canbe found on the “golf ” link at www.fpdcc.com or byvisiting www.forestpreservegolf.com.
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Courtesy of Chicago WildernessFringed Polygala
Forest Preserve District of Cook CountyGet Out EXPLORE
www.fpdcc.comWebsite: www.fpdcc.comWebsite:
LIVE HEALTHY,The Forest Preserve District of Cook County
D I S C O V E RN A T U R E
Visit the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, the largest urbanconservation preserve system in the nation, and discover the amazing nat-ural world just beyond your doorstep.
Explore the oak woodland and sugar maple forest of River Trail NatureCenter... Hike, bike or ride your horse on the Des Plaines Trail... Fish orcanoe along the Des Plaines River... Visit historic Robinson Woods... Volunteer to keep our habitats healthy for wildlife... Or just relax andenjoy the hills, woods and prairies of the Des Plaines River corridor.
Spring 2009 F S P
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1 Allison Woods2 Beck Lake3 Camp Baden Powell4 Camp Dan Beard5 Camp Pine Woods6 Dam No. 1 Woods-East7 Dam No. 1 Woods-West8 Dam No. 2 Woods9 Lake Avenue Woods-East10 Lake Avenue Woods-West11 Massasauga Family Picnic Area12 Potawatomi Lake13 Potawatomi Woods14 River Trail Nature Center
Activity Areas
15 Des Plaines (Unpaved)Trail Systems