Trails, scenic vistas reopen at Deer Grove in Palatine

Hikers, cyclists and bird watchers can head back into the depths of the Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Palatine.

Paved and gravel trails closed for portions of winter and spring have been reopened with the completion of another phase in a five-year, $4.5 million improvement project.

The conservation organization Openlands is targeting 163 acres within the nearly 2,000-acre preserve between Dundee and Lake-Cook roads in hopes of restoring diminished wetlands, woodlands, native prairie and open savannas.

"We'll never be able to recreate the rich environment of pre-settlement days, but by utilizing a wide range of conservation tools, from wetlands restoration and public education to water quality advocacy, we can deliver a healthy and diverse ecosystem that the public can enjoy for many generations to come," Openlands spokesman Charles Mutscheller said.

Together with ecologists from the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and the Army Corps of Engineers, Openlands has spent the last several months attacking invasive trees and plants that choked native oak, hickory and walnut trees and prevented sunlight from reaching ground-level native plants and wildflowers.

As a result, expansive vistas destroyed years ago have been restored, water quality is improving and colorful and varied native flora such as bluestem and cardinal flower are re-emerging.

"There were spots where you could see maybe 20 or 30 feet and that's it," said Joe Roth, Openlands restoration program manager. "Now, people can actually see the landscape and more of the wetland areas."

There also are early signs that efforts to restore and enhance about 45 acres of wetlands are paying off.

Farmers dried out the historically wet land beginning in the mid-1800s, but crews removed drainage tiles last year. Now several dozen shallow monitoring wells are recording water levels in hopes they'll be federally recognized as wetlands.

Openlands will spend the year continuing to control invasive species and monitor water levels. In the fall, the group will attempt to further establish native species through long-term seeding.

Roth said the overall project is on track and due to wrap up by 2014.

To mark the project milestone and National Trails Day, there will be a guided hike showcasing some of the restoration at 3 p.m. Saturday. Enter Deer Grove at Dundee Road and Pepper Tree Drive and take the right fork toward the model plane flying field.

Beforehand, representatives of the project and outdoor gear company REI will be at the Palatine Whole Foods on Rand Road from 1 to 2:30 p.m. to discuss trail food, equipment and restoration efforts.