The Forest Preserves is developing a 10-year vision plan for the Caldwell Preserves—Caldwell Woods, Bunker Hill, Sydney Yates Flatwoods and Edgebrook Woods that will help guide improvements to existing buildings and amenities, as well as longer-term plans for investing in visitor amenities, promoting restoration efforts and cultivating local relationships.
On this page:
Improvements
Forest Preserve staff gathered preliminary feedback about the Caldwell Preserves through two virtual open houses held in summer 2021. These outreach efforts provided fresh perspective to build on a focus group meeting that was held in 2015 with representatives from volunteer ecological stewardship groups and the Village of Niles. Exhibits for improvements—funded through a state Park and Recreation Capital (PARC) grant, program—are posted below.
The PARC grant awarded from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in spring 2021 funded roughly 75% of the estimated cost to renovate the Caldwell Woods Warming Shelter as a “wellness center.” The reimagined site will host indoor recreation activities and provide information on recreation and nature-based programs at the Caldwell Preserves, including yoga, pilates, meditation, cultural arts and other wellness-related classes. Additionally, the wellness center will serve as a starting point for outdoor nature hikes, bird watching, Trail Watch training and other programs.
The PARC grant project additionally includes an informational kiosk to increase awareness of the public indoor and outdoor recreation amenities and programs, accessibility improvements to parking areas and paths serving the wellness center and Whealan Pool Aquatic Center, where additional site parking is available.
Additional site improvements beyond those funded by the PARC grant include the repair of the concrete sledding hill stairs, outdoor seating near the wellness center and scenic river overlook signage and seating from the paved North Branch Trail System.
A second phase of community outreach will focus on proposed renovations to the Edgebrook Golf Course began in fall 2021 as part of a larger study of three forest preserve golf courses.
10-Year Vision Plan
These key strategies will guide the plan:
Invest in visitor amenities
- Install new information and wayfinding signs
- Invest in other Planned Improvements
- Explore feasibility of fundraising for capital improvements
Promote restoration efforts
- Identify and complete visitor-focused landscape restoration projects
- Continue managing trails
- Support expanded volunteer work
- Identify communication opportunities for volunteers to share work with trail users and picnickers
Cultivate local relationships
- Recruit more Trail Watch and Nature Ambassador volunteers
- Encourage partners to host events
- Activate new relationships
About the Caldwell Preserves
Caldwell Woods
Caldwell Woods, located on the northwest side of Chicago, features picnic groves, activity areas, a wellness center, sledding hill and access to the popular North Branch Trail. Although small in size, this preserve is big on diversity, with habitats ranging from flatwoods and floodplain forests to open savanna and oak woodlands.
Bunker Hill
Known for its popular picnic groves, Bunker Hill contains remarkable natural areas, including a floodplain forest, open savanna and the Sidney Yates Flatwoods. The site is part of the extensive North Branch Trail System and offers easy parking and natural play areas for kids.