Greene Valley scenic overlook opens May 1
DuPage Forest Preserve District's scenic overlook at Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville opens on weekends starting May 1, providing a bird's-eye view of DuPage County and the Chicago skyline from 190 feet above the ground.
The overlook will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 31, weather permitting, although Illinois 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 will be on hand to answer questions, and are encouraged to bring binoculars or spotting scopes for views of far-off vistas and migrating birds.
Visitors must wear face masks that cover the nose and mouth and must practice safe social distancing, staying at least 6 feet away from other people.
Visitors with valid district permits can launch nonpowered model gliders and sailplanes from a designated area of the overlook; permits are available online 24/7 or through Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more down-to-earth exploration, hikers and bikers can use the 1.9-mile Hawk Trail, which circles the hill's base and is open only during the scenic overlook operating hours.
The district periodically opens the scenic overlook for special viewings of the sunrise, sunset, or a lunar eclipse. Follow @dupageforest on Facebook for notices about these occasions.
The overlook rests on top of a closed landfill, which operated from 1974 to 1996.
A gas-to-energy plant converts methane from the landfill into energy, which powers thousands of area homes.
Revenue from the landfill's former disposal operations and the gas-to-energy plants - not tax dollars - funded construction of the recreational improvements and continue to fund maintenance of the overlook.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years. More than 6.2 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 166 miles of trails, six education centers and scores of programs each year.
For information, call (630) 933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the district's e-newsletter, blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.