Greene Valley overlook opens in May with views of hawks, Chicago

Visitors can see a soaring hawk, launch a model glider and check out the Chicago skyline from 190 feet above the ground at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's scenic overlook at Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville, which opens on weekends starting May 6.

The overlook will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, through Oct. 29, although Environmental Protection Agency activities may cause it to close without notice. The access drive is off Greene Road south of 79th Street. Visitors can park at the summit, where district staff members will be on hand to answer questions and provide binoculars and a spotting scope for views of far-off vistas and migrating birds.

Visitors with valid district permits can launch nonpowered crafts from the top; permits are available online or through Visitor Services from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays by calling (630) 933-7248.

For a more "down-to-earth" exploration, hikers and bikers can use the 1.9-mile Hawk Trail, which circles the hill's base.

The overlook rests on top of a closed landfill, which operated from 1974 to 1996. A gas-to-energy plant converts methane the landfill produces into energy, which powers thousands of area homes.

Revenue from the landfill's former disposal operations and the gas-to-energy plant - not tax dollars - funded construction of the recreational improvements and continue to fund the maintenance of the overlook.

"The scenic overlook gives you a bird's-eye view of DuPage County and is a great spot to fly a kite, look for migratory birds or have a picnic," forest preserve President Joe Cantore said.