Forest district looks for groups to use Greene Farm Barn
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's Greene Farm Barn ad hoc committee is looking for nonprofit agencies interested in using the historic timber-frame barn at the corner of Hobson and Greene roads near Naperville and Woodridge.
Organizations looking for a unique environment for meetings, classes, performances, parties, exhibits, camps, training and shows are invited to contact ad hoc committee Chairwoman Rachel Jenness at rbjenness@yahoo.com.
"It's a magnificent structure on a beautiful site adjacent trails and the East Branch DuPage River," said ad hoc committee member Jim Hill. "The barn would be suitable for all ages and offers fresh, natural surroundings with the strength of local limestone and hand-hewn timbers."
The forest preserve board created the committee in January to explore the best public use for the Greene Farm Barn in alignment with the district's mission and master plan goals and objectives.
The committee's recommendation to the board should identify partnerships, funding sources and potential revenues, and include an analysis of costs for development, operations and maintenance.
"One of the responsibilities of the committee is to identify potential partners," Jenness said. "It's important to know how the barn might be used in order to ascertain what, if any, improvements need to be made to the structure."
The district acquired the Greene Farmstead in 1971 for cultural, educational, historical and recreational activities for the public benefit. In 1988, the district passed an ordinance confirming its commitment to maintain the Greene Farm house, known as the Oak Cottage, and barn for public enjoyment.
The Greene Farmstead is part of the district's 1,388-acre Greene Valley Forest Preserve. The preserve features a 190-foot-tall, scenic overlook, 12 miles of marked trails, picnic shelters, an off-leash dog area, a model craft area and a youth group campground.
The preserve is home to more than 540 native plant species, making it one of the county's most botanically diverse sites.