Spring 2001

Liberty Prairie Reserve
Lake County, Illinois

Head out to Independence Grove, a new site recently acquired by the Lake County Forest Preserves (LCFP) at the intersection of Routes 21 and 137. With a new Visitor Center scheduled to open by July, this 1,100-acre preserve complements the Liberty Prairie with a marina, boat and bike rentals, swimming beach, and well-stocked lake.

Exercise your muscle power in a paddleboat, canoe, kayak, or aqua cycle, or troll for walleyes from a 14-foot bass boat large enough to accommodate the whole family. Landlubbers can tour the trails on in-line skates or surrey bikes for four, before trekking on the nearby Des Plaines river trails, or stopping at the picnic grove or the restaurant in the visitor’s center for lunch. The center includes a gift shop, exhibit area, meeting rooms and banquet facilities as well as a pavilion and outdoor grills for group use.

Nearby Almond Marsh is home to the LCFP Planning Office. There are no trails, but workshops are offered and work days scheduled. Information is published in the LCFP publication Horizons, available on the web.

Adults may want to conclude their journey with a stop at the Cuneo Museum and Gardens on Rte. 21, 2 blocks north of Rte. 60 in Vernon Hills. Formerly the home of the Cuneo publishing family, this manicured and elaborate estate contrasts sharply with the wildness of your previous adventure. The Museum’s gift shop reflects its collection of medieval figures, Capo di Monte porcelain flowers, Venetian glass, and intricate tapestries (847) 362-3042. Another choice is to poke around in the locally owned boutiques on Rte. 21 in Libertyville.

See the Liberty Prairie Conservancy Web site for information, schedules of events, and fees (work days, massages, bird walk breakfasts, etc.), or call (847) 548-5989, ext. 710; 32400 N. Harris Rd., Grayslake, IL 60030.

Reservations are required for bird walks; pre-registration is recommended for the Prairie Pedal. E-mail kherman@bfusa.com. Workdays are 8:00-10:00 a.m. on Saturday, 4/28, 5/19, June TBA, 8/25, 9/22, 10/27, and 11/11. For school groups and programs, call (847) 548-5989, ext. 108, special interest groups call ext. 110.

Prairie Crossing farmer’s market: See the Web site for info & events, or contact prairiecsg@aol.com, (847) 548-4030.

Lake County Forest Preserves, (847) 367-6640.

Independence Grove, call for grand opening dates and rental prices. (847) 918-1695.

Call Mainstreet for information on Libertyville events (847) 680-0336.