162-acre “Orland Grassland South”

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County closed on its newest land acquisition, a 161.58 parcel located in unincorporated Cook County known as the “Orland Grassland South,” on Friday, October 5, 2012.

“Over the past ten years, our staff has worked closely with the US Army Corps of Engineers and a dedicated group of volunteers to restore the Orland Grassland to native prairie, wetlands, savanna and shrub lands. The success of that effort has turned it into one of our most ecologically significant and valuable holdings,” said Forest Preserve District of Cook County General Superintendent Arnold Randall. “We are excited to expand this property south of 179th Street, with the addition of the new Orland Grassland South.”

The Orland Grassland South is bordered by 179th Street on the North, 183rd Street on the South, 104th Avenue on the West, and the White Mountain Golf Course/St. Xavier University Orland Park Campus on the east. The purchase price of the land was $8 Million and was funded by revenues from the District’s recent bond sale. Planning for the site will begin in 2013.

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About the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Don’t you sometimes just want to escape? Explore the natural beauty of Cook County for an hour, a day or even a night. When you’re surrounded by 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful there’s no better place to feel free.