People
The forest preserves have a lot to offer us all. Nature trails are ideal places for exercise, and the preserves have hundreds of miles of them. Free educational opportunities, from sites where Native Americans once lived to wildlife encounters to harvesting prairie seed, are available at the preserves year-round. And the preserves’ picnic groves and campsites are places where we can build the social bonds that make our communities strong. Even those who don’t visit the forest preserves can appreciate the respite they provide from crowds and concrete, along with plants that clean our air, absorb rainwater and give beauty to our region.
The forest preserves may seem like Cook County’s best kept secret because easily accessible entry points are hard to find, and it is sometimes difficult to know what to do when you get there. While the forest preserves are filled with picnickers on sunny summer weekends, many of these visitors do not venture beyond the picnic table.
To better connect people to the forest preserves, we need to find ways to get more people there—good public transit access is available to only 7 percent of the county’s population. We also need to welcome visitors with better information by improving signs and facilities and by offering programs specifically designed to appeal to their interests—whatever their age, abilities or economic and cultural background. The Forest Preserves’ staff and volunteers should reach out to communities, helping people make connections to nature wherever they are—and especially in the classroom.
The forest preserves belong to the public, every acre of them. We need to guarantee that every Cook County resident has the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from this great inheritance.
LEARN MORE
Just about everyone in Cook County lives near the forest preserves—more than 80 percent of the population is within five miles. Many of these residents have no idea that a natural treasure is waiting for them right in their backyards.
GOAL 2 Priorities
PROVIDE PROGRAMS IN THE PRESERVES THAT EMPHASIZE HEALTH BENEFITS.
Increase amount of time spent outdoors
2020 Goal
Publish multi-lingual health & nature brochure
Status
Completed
Details
70,000 brochures were published in English and Spanish and distributed to 300 health centers and community health partners
throughout the county.
Increase amount of time spent outdoors
2020 Goal
Initiate a Wellness in the Woods program
Status
In progress
Details
Over 400 residents participated in Wellness in the Woods events.
INVITE, EXCITE AND ENGAGE DIVERSE VISITORS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
Engage new audiences with innovative nature discovery
2020 Goal
Increase ways to inform picnickers, swimmers, and campers of other Forest Preserves resources.
Status
Redirected
Details
This goal turned into a family passport program, which includes a partnership with the Zoo and WYCC’s Nature Cat. The Nature Cat program encourages kids to explore nature.
2020 Goal
Open a tree top adventure course and draw in 15,000 visitors.
Status
In progress
Details
The course opened in June 2016 and attracted almost 8,000 visitors through September.
Engage underserved communities
2020 Goal
Develop the “Nature Ambassador” program
Status
In progress
Details
A 3 level Nature Ambassador Program was created in 2016. Two of the levels, Supporter and Outreach Volunteer, will be initiated in 2017.
MAKE THE PRESERVES ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.
Increase access for people with disabilities
2020 Goal
Complete ADA transition plan and prioritize needed improvements
Status
In progress
Details
A technical advisor was hired, and an internal working group and an external advisory group were convened to guide Forest Preserves ADA efforts.
EDUCATE VISITORS AND THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE FOREST PRESERVES’ NATURAL TREASURES.
Enhance activity hubs at signature sites
2020 Goal
Complete “Gateway Master Plan”
Status
Completed
Details
The Gateway Master Plan, completed in 2015, identified challenges and recommendations for signage, wayfinding, access and amenities at signature sites throughout the forest preserves.
Increase nature education
2020 Goal
Create a Wild About Nature award for schools.
Status
In progress
Details
FPCC partnered with 5 local teachers to develop a science/nature program. The new Wild About Nature plan will be introduced to 25 schools in 2017/18 school year.
A CONVERSATION OF THE FUTURE
Imagine a young girl walking along an accessible trail in the forest preserves with her grandmother and sharing all she knows about the native plants and opportunities for healthy living.
“You doing okay, Grandma?”
“Fine, fine. I like to walk when everything’s looking so green and healthy.”
“You’re looking pretty healthy yourself, these days. Think you could go a little farther? There’s something I’d like you to see.”
“Yes, if there aren’t any stairs.”
“I checked the website, and this whole trail is accessible for people with disabilities.”
“That’s good, then, sweetheart. Now look at that flower there. So pretty! I’ve lived here 60 years and never seen one like that.”
“That’s purple prairie clover—my teacher showed it to us. It’s really special, and it’s starting to come back now. So you’ll be seeing more of them.”
“I like to think of something like that growing here in our neighborhood. Rare and special. Whose garden is this?”
“It’s a community garden. For people with high blood pressure—your doctor had a poster up about it. They show you how to grow stuff you should be eating more of, and then you get to take some of it home. For free. Mom thought maybe it was something we could all do together.”
“But you don’t have high blood pressure.”
“They give classes on how to cook healthy, too. Mom thinks I should learn.”
“That’s a good idea. Okay, we’ll all get healthier together. You, me, and the clover!”