Newly restored Oak Brook nature sanctuary to hold open house
Dorothy Dean would be pleased. The 40-acre property she loved in Oak Brook and wanted to save from development soon will celebrate its grand opening as the Dorothy and Sam Dean Nature Sanctuary.
Dorothy and Sam Dean, the former Oak Brook village president and head of the Dean Milk Co., purchased the property in 1939 and Dorothy continued to live there after Sam’s death in 1976.
Known for the troughs she placed in her backyard to feed wildlife, Dean repeatedly resisted the offers of developers to sell. Instead she created a life trust that enabled the Oak Brook Park District to purchase the property in 2005 with the assistance of The Conservation Foundation.
Dean died in December 2008, and since then the park district has completed an ecological restoration of the property and added recreational amenities with the help of a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Visitors to the sanctuary’s open house from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 16, at 115 Canterberry Lane, will find a gazebo for educational programs, a nature observation shelter overlooking restored prairie, a stone council ring, a half-mile of ADA-accessible limestone trails, a one-mile prairie trail, an ADA-accessible fishing pier and rock fishing platforms on a two-acre pond, interpretive gardens featuring indigenous plants and canoe launch on Salt Creek. The property, part of the Salt Creek Greenway Trail, connects the DuPage County bikeway trails with Cook County bike trails.
During the open house, the Illinois Paddle Council will provide canoe and kayak water safety tips at the sanctuary’s boat launch. The launch provides a Salt Creek entry way to the 9.25-mile water trail to the Plank Road Meadow Boat Ramp takeout in Lyons.
Trout Unlimited will instruct on fly fishing and fly casting techniques for anglers of all ages. DuPage County master gardeners will teach children the importance of worms in the garden and the environment through a lively performance of “Adventures of Herman the Worm.”
Oaklee’s Family Guide will offer biodegradable seed packets for kids to take home to plant in their own backyards. Oaklee’s also donated a white oak that will be dedicated during a special ceremony.
Adults will be able to gain tips on attractive and easy ways to incorporate native plant species and environmentally friendly lawn care from The Conservation Foundation and The Wild Ones-Greater DuPage Chapter.
A Prairie Walk and Talk with Andy Stahr, founder of ecology+vision, and Maggie Soliz, of Pizzo and Associates, will focus on Illinois prairies and how healthy prairies impact the biodiversity of animal, bird, insect and amphibian habitat.
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Refreshments, a children’s craft, informational exhibits will be available at the free event.
To minimize the traffic impact on Canterberry Lane, parking will be available at the east parking lot at Christ Church of Oak Brook, York Road and 31st Street, with bus shuttles to the Dean Nature Sanctuary.
For information on the sanctuary or this event, visit www.obparks.org.
If you go
What: Grand opening celebration of Dorothy and Sam Dean Nature Sanctuary
When: 9 a.m. to noon June 16
Where: 115 Canterberry Lane, Oak Brook; parking at Christ Church, 31st Street and York Road
Cost: Free
Info: www.obparks.org