Recreation & Parks Department

Central Park

The Village of Park Forest in south suburban Chicago has been in the process
of restoring a 45 acre wetland / peat bog site at its Central Park since early
2000.  This site is unique in that it is part of a 90 acre park site and sits in the
very center of this suburban community of 25,000 next to Downtown Park
Forest.  This web site is aimed at sharing the experiences and progress on
this large restoration project.

Central Park is located on Lakewood Blvd. just west of Orchard Dr. in Park
Forest.  The wetland site can be accessed from either the Park Forest Aqua Center
parking lot at 30 N. Orchard Dr. or from the Central Park parking lot at 410 Lakewood Blvd.

Central Park was dedicated to the Village by the original developer of Park
Forest,  American Community Builders. In the early Fifties residents
described the north 45 acres of the park as a swamp. Early photos depict
patches of open water and numerous birds, ducks and other wildlife. Soil
borings indicate peat soils as deep as 36 feet in some sections of the site.
The soil type is composed 100% of Muskego and Houghton Mucks (903),
which is considered a wetland soil. 

In the early 60’s this area was "improved" by the installation of over 26,000 LF of draintile.  The site was graded and seeded to turf grass, a fairly typical practice during that time.  This area was mowed on a regular basis for over 20 years.  During this time several proposals were put forth for the use of this section of the park.  Ideas included development of a recreational lake, soccer or baseball fields, and a golf course. A referendum for development of a golf course was defeated in the mid-60’s.  Uncertainties over the soil stability prevented any of these ideas from being implemented.

By the early 80’s, rough terrain, the high cost of maintenance and a new
sensitivity to the environment resulted in mowing only a few times each
year. While the draintile system still functioned, many new forms of vegetation
would emerge. During the early 1990’s Village officials began to discuss
restoration of the wetland as possibly the best treatment of the 45-acre
parcel. In 1999 the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association’s
Stormwater Strategy Committee selected the Central Park site as a
Watershed Demonstration Project. Through this selection, the Environmental
Consulting Firm, Eubanks & Associates was retained to prepare a wetland
restoration site plan and management plan for the site.


                  


The key to the wetland restoration project is returning the natural hydrology
to the site. In February of 2000 two dowser valves were installed on the main
lines where the draintile system emptied into the adjacent drainage swale.
These two valves cause the water to back up into and remain contained in the
wetland site.  Through a variety of grant programs, an active volunteer force
and partnerships with a number of resource organizations, the restoration
program has continued.

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