OFHP 1-1 – Welcome to the Oak Forest Heritage Preserve 2016
There are more than 170 acres of forest and wetlands in the Oak Forest Heritage Preserve, which is approximately 25 miles south of downtown Chicago. The land was almost turned into a business park, but poor economic conditions in 2007 ended that venture and the land remained undeveloped. It was purchased by the CCFP in 2010.
This site served as a major stimulus for the 20th century growth of the Oak Forest community as working farm, an infirmary, a tuberculosis treatment center, and from 1910 until 1971, the burial ground for Cook County's indigents and many of those who died at Oak Forest Hospital. Planners envision an interpretive museum, trails through fields of native plants and a community garden where the county poor farm once operated.
In the first $1 million phase of the Cook County forest preserve project which is just finishing up, a 1.5-mile loop trail will guide visitors through the preserve's main sites, with signs recounting land's long-forgotten stories. Paul Bluestone had the job of turning what was a mute landscape into accessible stories. "Underneath the surface of this site lie the most incredible stories, it's a project that really surprises you, and I think it's going to surprise the people who walk the site. It surprised us."
Bluestone's team has compiled information on the geology left by the last retreating glaciers, the hunters who walked the land 10,000 years ago and an American Indian village discovered in the 1950s by archaeologists.
Someday, if funding can be secured, visitors interested in genealogy may be able to search through records of the more than 90,000 people who were buried in the cemetery, perhaps finding traces of an ancestor's story. Handwritten volumes still exist that recorded the deceased's name, country of origin, cause of death and occupation. Those records eventually could be used to create a searchable database at a visitors' center.
The first phase of the project is now complete and you can take a look at possible future additions to this amazing place:
http://fpdcc.com/downloads/OakForestHeritagePreserve-ExecSummary.pdf
The Cache:
This is near the original entrance to the preserve.
You are looking for a lock & lock container. On your way to the cache, make a stop at the informative sign which highlights what is below the surface of the land you are on.
* Congratulations to MMRCD for the FTF! *
Parking:
Visitors can enter the Oak Forest Heritage Preserve off 159th Street, through the Medical Center's main entrance, and follow the signs (just tell security that you are visiting the Heritage Preserve). Parking is also available through the parking lot on Fieldcrest Drive just off of Pulaski or at the Fieldcrest Park parking lot.
Notes:
- Bring your camera! This is a beautiful preserve with a lot of wildlife, history, and many informative signs.
- This is a forest preserve and I suggest bug repellent and long pants. Watch for poison ivy, although I tried to place all caches away from it, you may run into it. There are also ticks in the area.
- This series can be done walking, running, or biking.
- Dogs are allowed, but must be leased at all times.
- Do not place the following items in the Geocache: Food items, inappropriate, offensive, or hazardous materials.
- Hours are sunrise until sunset. Preserve users must not be in the preserves after hours.
- Please remember, it’s not an official find until you log it online.
- Bring your camera! This is a beautiful preserve with a lot of wildlife, history, and many informative signs.
- This is a forest preserve and I suggest bug repellent and long pants. Watch for poison ivy, although I tried to place all caches away from it, you may run into it. There are also ticks in the area.
- This series can be done walking, running, or biking.
- Dogs are allowed, but must be leased at all times.
- Do not place the following items in the Geocache: Food items, inappropriate, offensive, or hazardous materials.
- Hours are sunrise until sunset. Preserve users must not be in the preserves after hours.
- Please remember, it’s not an official find until you log it online.