Trails, Scenic Vistas Reopen at Popular Palatine Preserve

Chicago—Openlands, a leader in ecosystem restoration, has just completed phase three of a five-year $4.5 million improvement project at the nearly 2,000-acre Deer Grove Forest Preserve, in Palatine. A guided hike showcasing some of the results of the restoration, including newly opened vistas and reemerging native wildflowers, will occur at 3:00 PM, on Saturday, June 5, National Trails Day.

Led by staff of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC), which owns the property, the hike will begin at the Deer Grove East model plane flying field (see green arrow on map below).

“We’ve been carefully assessing the unique ecosystem needs at Deer Grove for years,” explained Openlands President & CEO Jerry Adelmann. “It’s an extraordinary place, but it needed significant work to protect the natural qualities that a wide range of visitors, including bird-watchers, cyclists, hikers, and runners, come here to enjoy year-round.”

The most notable improvement of the third phase of restoration was the removal of invasive trees that have choked native oak, hickory, and walnut trees and prevented sunlight from reaching ground-level native plants and wildflowers. As a result, colorful and varied native flora that haven’t been present at the preserve for a very long time have reemerged.

Trails in the west wooded area of Deer Grove East that closed temporarily during the restoration have reopened. So have breathtaking vistas.

“The work at Deer Grove has restored expansive views that haven’t been seen in decades,” said Openlands Restoration Specialist Linda Masters. “Other benefits include improved water quality, more outdoor education and recreation opportunities for people of all ages, and increased biodiversity and habitat for wildlife, which are assets not just to people in Palatine but throughout the region.”

According to volunteer site steward Pete Jackson, “Deer Grove provides a unique educational opportunity...visitors can witness firsthand the benefits of a large-scale restoration effort that’s good not just for them but also the plants and animals that create this natural oasis in our metropolitan region.”

The land that is now Deer Grove was once made up of extensive wetlands, woodlands, native Illinois prairie, and oak savannas. In the mid-1800s, however, the land was artificially drained for farming, and invasive plant species flourished in the altered environment, crowding out indigenous plants. Additionally, grazing eliminated cover and food for wildlife, and the number of deer, ducks, heron, and turtles diminished.

Openlands worked closely with ecologists from FPDCC, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other partner agencies to carefully study Deer Grove. Phase one of the Deer Grove improvement began in 2008 and included hydrological monitoring, wetland studies, plant inventories, and the development of a master restoration plan, which was independently reviewed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Phase two of the project, involving the removal of detrimental drainage tiles and the reestablishment of the area’s natural hydrology, was completed in late 2009. The entire restoration project, including an innovative self-guided interpretive plan, is expected to be completed by 2014.

For 15 years, Openlands has acquired or restored thousands of acres of wetlands, woodlands, and prairies throughout northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region, resulting in more and better quality parks, preserves, and other green open spaces and natural areas for public enjoyment.

Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives. 

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