Bensenville Park District plans to improve historic farm

The historic Fischer Farm in Bensenville is slated to get new gardens, lighting and handicapped-accessible ramps.

Bensenville Park District officials have outlined the improvements in a two-year action plan for the farm along Grand Avenue in Bensenville.

"We're trying to get the farm to the next level," District Executive Director Rick Robbins said Monday. "Even though it's right there on Grand Avenue, we still feel like it's a hidden gem of our community and of this region."

Established about 1838 by the Fischer family, the 5-acre farm is believed to be one of the oldest remaining homesteads in the county.

The property next to Fischer Woods Forest Preserve belongs to the DuPage County Forest Preserve District.

But Bensenville Park District leases the farm from the forest preserve district and has operated it since 2001.

Through the years, all nine of the farm's structures have been restored. Recently, a kitchen garden was planted, and bees and chickens have been acquired. Sheep were added last week.

On Tuesday, Bensenville officials are going to meet with forest preserve commissioners to present a plan to spend $50,000 to $100,000 on projects that will further enhance the property.

The lease requires the park district to get written approval from the forest preserve commission to do improvements costing more than $20,000.

Topping the list of proposed projects are several ADA upgrades, including the addition of ramps, paved driveways and crushed limestone paths.

The plan also calls for a security system and additional lights to be installed on the property. For example, officials said, lights are needed in the parking lot, at the front and back door of the farmhouse, and near the oldest barns.

Because the Fischer family had ducks on their farm and sold the eggs, the park district would like to add that bird to "contribute to the historical accuracy of the environment created on the farm," officials said.

There's also plans to create gardens, remove invasive plants, and grow corn and other crops.

Thousands of people visit Fischer Farm each year through special events, private rentals, group tours and individual visits.

Robbins said the improvements will boost attendance at the farm and allow more people to see a piece of history. Several historic structures remain on the site, including a farmhouse built in 1920.

He said, "We want people to experience it."