OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS 



99 



VIEW OF THE DESPLAINES NEAR RIVERSIDE. 



jectives. Wherever one would want to go there is a well-defined 

 trail leading there. 



With this tract famed for its bird life it is probable that 

 under the District's plan for future propagation of feathered 

 animals here will be the scene of an intensified campaign. It is 

 the District's purpose to go scientifically about the restoration 

 of wild animal growth as nearly as possible. 



To do this it will be necessary to make an exhaustive study 

 of the conditions under which the wing-propelled creatures will 

 thrive. At the same time it is vitally essential that the causes 

 of decrease in such habitation of the woods be discovered and 

 dealt with in an effective manner. 



Across the Desplaines River there is what might almost 

 be considered a southern extension of the Salt Creek preserve. 

 It is a small tract that has, like many others, been far-famed 

 as a rendezvous of picnickers. It is the grove at Thirty-Ninth 

 street and Harlem avenue, which will eventually styled the 

 Portage Preserve because of historical associations. 



There the artificial development includes dancing pavilions, 

 shelters, drinking fountains and comfort stations to accommo- 

 date thousands. Naturally the years of picnicking has resulted 

 in retirement of most animal life but with strict supervision the 

 District hopes to bring the grove back into its own as a woodlot 

 without restricting recreation there in the least. 



