Lyman Woods Forest Preserve
DuPage County, Illinois

Lyman Woods, with 135 acres of oak woodland, prairie, and wetland, is a rare gem in the middle of the historic and lively village of Downers Grove.

Thousands of years ago when the glaciers receded from the area, they left behind glacial kames and huge boulders, known as glacial erratics, that shape the preserve today. In 1839, the Reverend Orange Lyman came to this area and purchased a large section of land, a portion of which is now Lyman Woods Preserve.

The Lymans were livestock farmers and used the land for grazing. Some of their home's foundation, and remnants of the rock road they built leading to it, are still visible within the preserve. Jessie Woodford Lyman, wife of Orange Lyman's great-grandson, preserved 17.5 acres of original oak savanna that are now designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve.

In 1966, George Williams College bought a large piece of the Lyman land. In the mid 1980s Midwest University bought the campus, but the natural areas were put up for sale. The Village of Downers Grove and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County bought 81 acres, including the oak savanna. The Downers Grove Park District later became part owner and manager of this land through an intergovernmental agreement. Good Samaritan Hospital also bought some of the George Williams College land and granted a permanent seven-acre easement adjacent to the preserve. Over the years, several parcels have been added to the preserve, including 38 acres slated for redevelopment but saved in 1997 after two years of valiant effort by the Pierce Downer Heritage Alliance.

Entering the preserve by way of "Spur Trail," visitors will find woods dominated by red and white oaks. Their distinctly shaped leaves turn red, orange, and brown in the fall. The preserve's restoration management plan includes regular prescribed burns, so a return visit in the spring often reveals a rich display of woodland wildflowers including trillium, wild hyacinth, trout lily, and green dragon. The state-threatened pretty sedge grows here as well.

Continuing east along the trail, a meadow opens up to reveal a true sign that summer is coming to a close: goldenrod glowing tall among senescent native grasses and forbs. In the northeast corner of the preserve, straddling a Midwest University easement, a small remnant prairie sits atop a glacially deposited hill of gravel called a kame. Compass plants and prairie dock flower in the fall, as do blazing stars and a variety of native sunflowers and asters. The state-endangered Hill's thistle also occurs here.

The traveler can circle the meadow on the spur trail or head south to pick up the main trail that borders marshes and a pond. This trail then traverses a bottomland woods, with its characteristic wet-footed swamp white oaks. These wet areas also benefit from periodic burns. In late summer you will see a pageant of cow parsnip, some up to ten feet tall. The Park District recently planted false nettle, lobelia, and ironweed.

The marshes abound with waterfowl and support several amphibian species, including chorus frogs and tiger salamanders. Painted turtles, red-eared sliders, and northern brown water snakes have also been found here. Lacey Creek runs through Lyman Woods. Restoration work has begun upstream and, in cooperation with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, will soon begin in Lyman Woods.

At the south end of the site, adjacent to Good Samaritan Hospital, is the most outstanding feature of Lyman Woods: a 17-acre oak savanna. A breathtaking illustration of Downers Grove's presettlement landscape, some of the bur oaks here are 200 years old. Stand among these ancient trees, where time has stood still, and the world seems calm. False foxglove and cream gentian grow here late summer to fall. The rare nodding trillium is among the preserve's spring wildflowers.

More than 300 birds reside in or migrate through Lyman Woods. "At educational programs we ask kids to find a species for every color in the rainbow," said Michelle Grove, manager of natural areas for the Downers Grove Park District. "This spring we found scarlet tanagers, indigo buntings, and ruby-crowned kinglets." Cooper's hawks, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls and eastern bluebirds reside at Lyman year-round.

A visitor's center is under construction in a part of Lyman Woods where more than 120 mature trees were felled by a developer before the current owners acquired the property. It is scheduled to open in late January for winter programming. The building will have a "green roof" that sports native grasses and plants. A grand-opening celebration is scheduled for Arbor Day, April 25, 2003.

Restoration work, including brush clearing and native plant seeding, is ongoing at Lyman. Volunteering to help with this work is a great way to come to know and appreciate the site. To participate, call Laura Weizorick, volunteer coordinator, or Michelle at (630) 963-1304.

To protect Lyman Woods, home to 300 native plant species and 17 mammal species, hiking is the only activity permitted. There are two miles of trails. Groups must have a reservation and a guide. Pets are not allowed. For further information, contact the Downers Grove Park District at (630) 963-1304.

Roaming
Don't miss the nearby 30-acre gem of Belmont Prairie, located west of the Downers Grove Golf Course on Haddow Avenue. Belmont Prairie is owned by the Downers Grove Park District, (630) 963-1304. Ten acres are dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve and there are over 175 species of plants, some rare.

The Downers Grove Park District Museum, (630) 963-1309, is located at Wandschneider Park, just two blocks east of Main Street. Located in a Victorian home built in 1892, this 11-room museum gives a fascinating glimpse into the past. Admission is free; hours vary.

The Morton Arboretum, (630) 719-2400, is located in neighboring Lisle on Rte. 53, north of I-88, and is open all day, 365 days a year. Twenty-five miles of trails and twelve miles of roadway wind through the arboretum's 1,500 acres, which harbor more than 3,000 kinds of trees, shrubs, and vines from around the world. Admission: $7 car, $20 van; reduced fees on Wednesdays. Members are always free.

To the east of Downers Grove awaits the world-famous Brookfield Zoo, (630) 485-0263, at 1st Avenue and 31st Street in Brookfield. Here visitors can enjoy and learn about more than 2,700 animals representing more than 400 species. Open every day of the year; hours vary. General admission: adults $7, children $3.50, seniors $3.50, members free. Call about free Tuesdays and Thursdays.

To the west of Downers Grove is Naper Settlement (630) 420-6010, where people can tour 19th-century homes, businesses, a schoolhouse, and a chapel, all with interpreters who bring Naperville's history to life. Adults $6.50, seniors $5.50, children 4-17 years $4. Closed Mondays; call for hours.

Foraging
Bamboleo, (630) 434-0300, on Main Street and Curtiss Avenue in Downers Grove, is a local favorite for Mexican food (Heading south from Lyman Woods, Highland Avenue becomes Main Street.) Lunch $5-$15; dinner $8-$19. Open every day — try the fajitas.

Zander's Cafe, (630) 435-9520, at Maple and Belmont Avenues in Downers Grove, has a good chef and offers a variety of American dishes. Lunch $5-$9; dinner $5-$13. Zander's is open every day except Sunday; they close at 3:00 p.m. on Mondays. Tuesday night is pasta night.

Genghis Khan Restaurant, (630) 629-8989, at Finley and Butterfield Roads, is a long-time Downers Grove favorite for Mongolian food. The lunch buffet is $7.95; dinner buffet $11.95. Mongolian stir-fry is the most popular item. A full menu is also available. Open every day.

At Founders Hill Brewing Company, (630) 963-2739, Main and Grove Streets, you can enjoy Downers Grove's local microbrews and regional American fare. You can enjoy sandwiches, ($7) to filets ($20), with live entertainment on weekend nights. Open for lunch Friday through Sunday; open for dinner every day.

Bedding Down
The closest place to camp is at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville. Owned by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Blackwell has 60 campsites (available May through mid October, Friday and Saturday nights only), canoe access to the West Branch of the DuPage River, eight miles of multipurpose trails, access to the Illinois Prairie Path, and fishing and boating on Silver Lake. Boat rentals are available. Camping fees are $10-$15 per night. For detailed information on camping reservations, call (630) 933-7200 or visit "Camping in DuPage County Forest Preserves."

The Downers Grove Visitor's Guide includes a list of accommodations and restaurants to fit every budget. Call the Downers Grove Visitor's Bureau at (800) 934-0615 or see Downers Grove Tourism & Events.

Events
January 24-26, 2003 — Ice Sculpture Festival
Downtown Downers Grove, (800) 934-0615. This festival features an ice carving contest with professional carvers competing for prize money. Ice sculptures are on display at the Main Street Train Station, throughout the downtown, and at the Downers Grove Museum. Bring the family down to enjoy the strolling street characters. Local vendors offer hot chocolate, apple cider, and other warming treats. Free trolley rides to view the carvings.

— Jim Kostohrys