Perhaps you’re seeking a serene escape. Bunker Hill Picnic Shelter Grove 7 offers just that. It is nestled within the larger Bunker Hill Savanna. This area is more than just a picnic spot. It is a gateway to a unique ecosystem.
Bunker Hill Savanna boasts a mosaic of habitats. Open savanna, oak woodland, and flatwoods intertwine. This creates a diverse environment. The flatwoods are especially interesting. A clay layer beneath the surface retains water. This creates a unique habitat for plant and animal life.
Pin oaks dominate the flatwoods canopy. They stand tall and straight. This marks the northernmost point of their natural range. Spicebush shrubs add a splash of color. Their leaves turn a brilliant lemon yellow in the fall.
Moving into the open savanna, wildflowers abound. Blazing star, obedient plant, and mountain mint create a vibrant tapestry. Native grasses sway in the breeze. Big bluestem, northern dropseed, and Indian grass paint the landscape. Young pin oaks and swamp white oaks dot the area. Song sparrows perch atop bushes. They fill the air with their melodies.
Bunker Hill Savanna provides crucial habitat. Birds, butterflies, frogs, and other animals thrive here. An unusual dragonfly even made its debut. It was first sighted in 1990. These rainpool gliders cruise over the savanna flora.
Visitors can access the North Branch Trail from Bunker Hill. This paved path connects forest preserves. It links green spaces along the Chicago River’s North Branch. You can journey from Chicago to the Botanic Gardens in Glencoe. The trail is relatively flat. It is ideal for walking, hiking, biking, and trail running. A 13-mile stretch connects Caldwell Woods to Skokie Lagoons. Unpaved trails wind through woodlands. A 4-mile loop encircles Skokie Lagoons. It connects the North Branch Trail to the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Bunker Hill is also known as Clayton Smith Flatwoods. This preserve is part of a long greenway. This protected land follows the North Branch of the Chicago River. It is a rewarding natural area. Woodcocks perform mating rituals in spring evenings. Hepatica and bloodroot bloom in oak groves. The state-endangered mountain blue-eyed grass blossoms later. Mountain mint fills the air in mid-summer. Its distinctive scent wafts along the trails.
So, as you enjoy your picnic here at Bunker Hill Picnic Shelter Grove 7 remember that you are surrounded by a unique and valuable ecosystem. It is a place where nature’s beauty and biodiversity converge. Take a moment to appreciate the natural wonders that surround you here at Bunker Hill.