Winter 2002

Winter sports and abundant wildlife are highlights of this preserve, which features upland forest, savanna, prairie, and open oak woodland

Will County,Illinois

A patch of savanna next to the Raccoon Grove parking lot near Route 50 and Pauling Road initially obscures the astonishing openness of the dry-mesic upland forest, in which grow a variety of hickory and oak trees. In the mesic upland forest, basswood, sugar maple, and an occasional white ash dominate. In contrast, the southern portions of the 212-acre property was savanna, prairie, and open oak woodland prior to settlement and are now being restored.

The absence of woody undergrowth in the northern portion is remarkable, and David Mauger, natural resource manager for the Forest Preserve District of Will County, points to the history of the site.

During the first two decades of the 1900s, 75 acres known as Oakdell Park were maintained by an amusement company as picnic grounds with a dance pavilion. Because the land wasn't farmed and was well cared for early on, Mauger explains, it doesn't require much management today. Small numbers of buckthorn and honeysuckle grow along the trail, but "we keep a close eye on the north end," says Mauger. "If we see something, we jump on it right away."

The .5-mile trail leads visitors through gently rolling hills and down into the mesic floodplain, where one can find Virginia waterleaf, bladdernut and even a few pawpaw. As the trail begins to loop back into the dry-mesic upland
forest, it follows along and above Rock Creek. Last fall proved to be a mast year for oaks, and an overabundance of acorns crunch underfoot. In the spring, visitors can enjoy woodland violets, yellow and white trout lilies, Dutchman’s breeches, and red trillium.

Raccoon Grove is home to red fox, coyote and, of course, raccoons. Great horned owls and screech owls are permanent residents of the preserve, as well as red-headed and red-bellied woodpeckers, and flickers. Northern harrier, red-tailed hawk, and broad-winged hawk winter here, and when spring arrives, birders flock to see the many migrating warblers that pass through, including indigo buntings, summer tanagers, warblers, and bluebirds.

Raccoon Grove is bordered on the east by Monee Reservoir. The 195-acre property features a 46-acre fishing lake that was originally built as a
reservoir to provide water for Illinois Central Gulf Railroad before the decline of the steam locomotive.

During the winter months, Monee's 2.5-mile hiking trail is open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. A small pond northeast of the visitor center is cleared for ice-skating. Enjoying a steaming cup of hot chocolate while warming up by the visitor center's wood-burning stove is particularly comforting on a cold winter day. (The visitor center rents snowshoes, rowboats, canoes, paddleboats, fishing poles, and sells fishing licenses, bait, tackle, and snacks.)

On January 12, noon - 4:00 p.m., Monee Reservoir will host its 9th annual Musher Mania. Visitors can see dogsledding presentations and demonstrations given by the Siberian Husky Club of Greater Chicago. Winter Moonlight Madness occurs on Friday, February 9: ice-skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice sculpting by the light of the full moon begins at 6:00 p.m.— Shanna M. McGarry

Workdays: Any interested volunteers should contact Renee Gauchat at Prairie People Volunteers, (708) 479-2255 x1133.

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