Welcome to Pleasant Valley
Pleasant Valley expands 2,080 acres and is a mosaic of natural areas. In addition to viewing native wildlife and plants, visitors can explore over five miles of hiking and nature trails, gather at the natural amphitheater, go fishing at the small two-acre pond, reserve one of the two picnic shelters for a larger group gathering, and even cross-country ski the solar lit trail in the winter.
Within its borders exist a high-quality oak savanna, a grade ‘A’ stream, a never before plowed wetland and an impressive prairie ecosystem. This special combination of habitats creates one of the most biologically diverse, stunningly beautiful, and locally accessible sites in the county. Pleasant Valley is also home to a variety animal species, including hawks, turtles, salamanders, fox, deer and numerous warblers. In addition, 274 native plant species, 13 of which are rare, thrive in this environment. Plants such as the northern bog violet, short green milkweed, prairie star sedge, prairie buttercup, swamp thistle and prairie Indian plantain help give this area a high ecological rating, while the more common sunflowers, milkweed and wild black cherry can also be seen.
History
Pleasant Valley Conservation Area has a rich and varied history. When glaciers moved through the area thousands of years ago, the natural landscape consisting of hills, valleys, and streams was formed. The Indigenous history of the area records people having lived in McHenry County for thousands of years. Artifacts such as arrowheads and stone tools have been found throughout the county, including at Pleasant Valley. At different times, McHenry County may have been at or near the very northern edge of the territories of different confederation members. The Ho Chunk, Potawatomi, and Kickapoo people are also known to have lived in McHenry County. In the early 1830’s, Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act was passed and by 1836, the last group that left the Chicago region was the Potawatomi. According to historic accounts in a personal journal entry, it was recorded that several families still living in the Marengo area around 1835 - not too far from Pleasant Valley.
By the 1830s, Irish immigrants settled the land and established agricultural farms to support their families. In 1931, McHenry County held the national record for the second largest number of cows in America and was a premiere dairy producing area. Many, if not most, small farms raised cows as well as crops.
Pleasant Valley Farm
In 1952, the Chicago Congregational Union purchased the land and converted it into a summer camp and retreat center for inner city youth and called it Pleasant Valley Farm, which later became known as Pleasant Valley Outdoor Center. For over forty years, thousands of city children ventured into the “wilds” of McHenry County to work and learn in a rural setting. Campers explored their natural environment through activities ranging from natural history studies to social sciences. It was a place where children could experience nature and farm life - often for the very first time. They assisted with the day-to-day duties of the center by learning how to farm, taking care of farm animals, tending to the vegetable garden, and helping to prepare the meals. From the bubbling creek and wide open prairies to the oak canopied trails, the camp provided an experience that these children may otherwise never have known. For many children, this was their first time visiting a rural place, seeing the stars at night, hiking through forest, or experiencing wildlife up close. Campers helped take care of the farm animals and vegetable gardens, made art projects, took nature walks, swam in the pond, and played games. Over time the camp grew to include farm animals, bunkhouses, a mess hall, a swimming pond, trails through the woods, a solar-powered program building, camp staff housing, and gardens that produced food for the camp. Camp counselors and staff came from all over the world. Many staff and campers said in later years that this place changed their lives and taught them about nature and building community.
Camp staff stories say that Martin Luther King Jr, Ralph Abernathy, and other Civil Rights leaders came to stay at Pleasant Valley to write and plan the Chicago Freedom Movement of the late 1960’s. The center remained in operation for 46 years, officially closing in 1998.
In 1994, the Conservation District purchased 109 acres of the Pleasant Valley property. Over the following 10 years, the District made several other adjacent land acquisitions and restoration efforts began in 1997.
Cache Your Way Question
The US has lost approximately 30% of original wetland acres, and 50% in the 48 contiguos states. What percentage of wetlands have been lost in Illinois?
Geocachers
Please join us in playing! Geocaching is a high-tech “treasure hunting” game played throughout the world by adventure seeker. All are welcome who observe and obey the rules.
- Please do not move or vandalize the container.
- Once you find it, log your name in the book, take a trinket and leave one of your own behind for the next person.
- Replace the cache in the same spot that you found it, and make sure it is completely covered.
- Please do not remove the informational card from the containers, this is an essential game piece for cachers completing the GeoSeries.
- The real treasure is finding the container and sharing your thoughts with everyone who finds it.
For a complete list of rules and instructions on how to earn a special district geocoin visit MCCDistrict.org/Geocache
Email geocaching@MCCDistrict.org with any questions or concerns
McHenry County Conservation District Information
Visit our website at MCCDistrict.org or call (815) 338-6223
Photo Release
5/15/2023 Photos posted here may be featured on the McHenry County Conservation District's various social media accounts including Facebook, Instagram, and twitter, as well as our website (MCCDistrict.org) and print material such as Landscapes Magazine. By posting photos to this log you agree to allow us to share your work. Photographers will be acknowledged in any shares or posts of photos, so please include your name in your post if it is different from that of your username.