DuPage forest district kicking off centennial celebration

Posted May 28, 2015 1:00 am

By Deb Humiston Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

As the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County celebrates its 100th anniversary, hikers are encouraged to log their miles in forest preserves to reach 100 miles. Daily Herald File Photo

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is celebrating 100 years of connecting people to nature with a variety of centennial-themed activities and programs throughout 2015.

On June 7, 1915, DuPage County residents voted 1,650 to 1,175 in favor of creating the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

"In 1915, newspapers, businesses, civic groups and conservation advocates campaigned in favor of, and voters - both men and women - approved the referendum that would make a DuPage County forest preserve district a reality," said Forest Preserve District President Joe Cantore. "Without such firm conviction from so many different corners of society, the initiative might not have passed."

Here is the district's 2015 celebratory centennial lineup.

• Centennial Golf Challenge. Golf a combined 100 holes at any district course and get a certificate for a free 18-hole round until Friday, July 31, at Oak Meadows, Maple Meadows and Green Meadows golf courses. Register at dupagegolf.com.

• Centennial Hiking Challenge. Start tracking miles along your favorite forest preserve trails throughout 2015. Log 100 miles and get a commemorative pin. For information, see dupageforest.org/hikingchallenge.

• Centennial Medallion Search. Use clues and your knowledge of the preserves to find hidden coins and win prizes starting Sunday, June 7. For information, see dupageforest.org/medallion.

• When Art and Nature Meet. Stroll the grounds and enjoy nature-inspired art from Sunday, June 14, to Friday, Oct. 23, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. For information, visit mayslakepeabody.com.

• Centennial Nature Fest. Get to know DuPage County's native plants and animals and learn what it takes to create the rich habitats that make our forest preserves awesome places to visit from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at St. James Farm Forest Preserve, 2S541 Winfield Road, Warrenville. For information, visit dupageforest.org/naturefest.

• (Un)rest and Relaxation: A Look into 1915. Learn about 1915 by exploring events, fads and cultures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, July 1 through Aug. 12, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. For information, visit mayslakepeabody.com.

• Wheaton Fourth of July Parade. The forest district will be part of the event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 4, in downtown Wheaton. For information, see wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/july4/.

• DuPage Forest Preserves Century Trail Kickoff. Be a part of history. Join a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and then take a 5-, 10- or 15-mile looped bike ride from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 11, at the forest district headquarters at Danada Forest Preserve. 3S503 Naperville Road, Wheaton. For information, visit dupageforest.org/100years.

• Take Part in Art. Create nature-inspired art through a variety of techniques and activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st. St., Oak Brook. For information, visit mayslakepeabody.com.

• Country Fair. Step into 1915 at a country fair featuring a flea circus, games, horse-drawn hayrides and other period entertainment from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5 and 6, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. For information, see dupageforest.org/100years.

• Naperville Last Fling Parade. The forest district will be part of the event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, in downtown Naperville. For information, see lastfling.org.

• Danada Fall Festival. Enjoy equestrian performances, hayrides, children's activities, educational displays and food from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road, Wheaton. For information, see dupageforest.org/100years.

• DuPage Through the Artist's Eye. Enjoy works of art inspired by DuPage forest preserves from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 3 to Dec. 9, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. For information, see mayslakepeabody.com.

• 100 Stories for 100 Years. Employees, volunteers and forest preserve fans are sharing some of their favorite stories, and the forest district is sharing 100 of them online throughout 2015. For information, see dupageforest.org/stories100years.aspx.

The forest preserves of DuPage County offer a variety of habitats. Centennial Nature Fest on June 27 celebrates the wildlife - both plant and animal - that make up the county's forest preserves. Courtesy of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The annual Danada Fall Festival showcases the county's equestrian traditions and lets children and adults get nose to nose with the forest district's horses. Courtesy of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The Country Fair at Kline Creek Farm takes visitors back 100 years to enjoy activities like potato sack races, a flea circus and more. Courtesy of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

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