The
Forest Preserves of Cook County
have recently acquired an additional 29 acres at 6101 Oak Forest Avenue, further enhancing the existing facilities at the Tinley Park grove. This recent expansion includes land that was previously part of Villa Santa Maria, creating a total property size of nearly 300 acres. The new addition now allows visitors the convenience of on-site parking while they enjoy a leisurely picnic or immerse themselves in nature.
Interim General Superintendent Eileen Figel expressed her excitement about the latest acquisition, stating, 'In addition to highlighting the history of the Tinley Park area, this property exemplifies how open spaces can be repurposed for public benefit. We look forward to welcoming families and nature enthusiasts to savor our newest addition, whether they are taking a stroll, setting up a picnic, or engaging in outdoor activities.'
The preserve features a scenic half-mile loop grass walking path nestled among mature white oaks and hickories, along with a spacious open grass area. Visitors can now reserve the preserve with a permit for gatherings of up to 50 people, offering uncovered picnic tables for added convenience.
With a diverse ecosystem comprising woodland, grassland, wetland, and a tributary stream flowing into the Midlothian Creek, 6101 Oak Forest Avenue provides a habitat for various bird species like blue jays, red-bellied woodpeckers, wood ducks, nuthatches, chickadees, flying squirrels, and tree frogs. The former agricultural fields, currently dominated by non-native grasses, hold the potential for the restoration of prairie-like plant communities in the future.
Previously owned by the Mantellate Sisters, a community of Catholic nuns, Villa Santa Maria served as a novitiate and later housed a preschool and kindergarten before being acquired by the Forest Preserves in 2018. Utilizing funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Forest Preserves demolished the existing structures on the site after conducting a thorough historical documentation.
Alongside providing parking and picnic amenities, this land acquisition aims to minimize the 'edge effect,' a phenomenon where the proximity to human activities inhibits the utilization of natural areas by plants and animals. Additionally, the expansion provides an opportunity for the Forest Preserves to extend the Tinley Park Trail system towards Central Avenue, with plans for a potential connection to the Vollmer Road Grove Loop trail in the future.
This new preserve not only enhances the recreational opportunities in the area but also contributes to the preservation of natural habitats and historical sites within Cook County's Forest Preserves.