Orland Park- Orland Grassland
Orland Grassland, located in the south suburbs and administered by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, is an outstanding example of the huge grasslands that formerly swept the region. This 960-acre park was converted from farmland to a grassland with a wide range of operating conditions, prairies, wetlands, open ponds, oak savannas, and forests beginning in 2002. Openlands assisted in the restoration of the landscape at Orland Grassland, and much of the preserve is now listed in the Illinois Nature Preserve system and identified as an important bird location by the Audubon Society. Orland Grassland is now one of the greatest places in southern Cook County to watch grassland birds thanks to the restoration. Here live Henslow’s sparrows, meadowlarks, clay-colored sparrows, and bobolinks. Orland Grassland is next to Bartel Grassland and Bobolink Meadow, two fantastic grassland bird habitats that Openlands has helped restore. We establish the environment needed for animals to thrive by selecting and restoring conservation sites in close proximity to one another. Orland Grassland is surrounded by a five-mile paved route, with additional dirt paths twisting through the restoration sections. If you’re searching for a shorter route, the south section of Orland Grassland also has a longer extension of the main trail. The dirt routes are identified with homemade signs produced by Orland Park Cub Scout Troop #372. Glaciers left behind this rising landscape more than 10,000 years ago, making Orland Grassland one of the higher elevation sites in Cook County.Openlands was founded in 1963 to maintain the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region in order to assure cleaner air and water, safeguard natural ecosystems and species, and assist balance and improve our lives.So, if you need a change of scenery, bring snacks and travel back in time to see the landscapes, ecosystems, and perspectives that were formerly available in our region!
