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THE FOREST PRESERVES 



Miscellaneous Preserves 



M i s c e 1 laneous 

 tracts acquired here 

 and there over the 

 county constitute 

 some of the most val- 

 uable property now 

 in the hands of the 

 Forest Preserve Dis- 

 trict of Cook County. 

 As an instance, the Murphy tract of 350 acres in Lyons town- 

 ship near Willow Springs may be cited. 



There the Forest Preserve District has thrown its protec- 

 tive hand over a picturesque bit of wooded land that has for 

 years been the delight of city and country folks alike bent on 

 recreation. It is conveniently located on the perfectly im- 

 proved Joliet road. 



For miles and miles the splendid hardwood forests with 

 their ever-interesting flower and animal life are stretched out 

 before the visitor. Winding trails that lead to the innermost 

 recesses of this virgin forest make the spot doubly attractive 

 for picnickers. 



In the same way seven acres of rugged forest, preserved 

 as if by magic within the borders of the town of Evanston, has 

 come into the hands of the District. That recreation zone, 

 despite its diminutive size, is bound to develop into the Dis- 

 trict's most popular spot. 



Trees of an age estimated generally between 100 and 200 

 years abound in this section. Furthermore, the seven-acre 

 tract has won a country-wide reputation for its fields of wild 

 flowers. In years past, this wooded tract has produced mil- 

 lions upon millions of spring beauties and practically every 

 known variety of wild blossoms. 



Then at West Hammond, the District in the purchase of 

 137 acres of Cook County's "forest of big trees" has laid the 

 basis for an inter-state park. Situated as the tract is on the 

 Illinois-Indiana land it is destined to development as the great 

 playground of the people of the two states. 



