Dwight Perkins’ vision echoes through these trees. This is Perkins Woods Forest Preserve. It is a testament to one man’s dedication to preserving nature for public enjoyment.
Perkins Woods is Evanston’s only Cook County Forest Preserve. This 7.5-acre woodland offers a glimpse into the past. It reminds us of the extensive forests that once covered this area.
Dwight Perkins was instrumental in founding the Cook County Forest Preserve District. He was a nationally known architect who designed over 200 buildings around Chicago. His personal historic home is just north of the preserve. It is located at 2319 Lincoln Street.
Imagine wandering through Perkins Woods. You are surrounded by native plants. These plants reflect the dedication of local volunteers. They work to maintain the preserve’s natural beauty.
Birders find Perkins Woods particularly inviting. It is a wonderful place for migrating birds. Spring brings a beautiful understory of wildflowers.
The trails meet in the middle forming an ‘X’. Walking all five spokes covers about 2/3 of a mile. It is a short but fulfilling escape.
You might spot chokecherry or prickly-ash. Perhaps you will discover fringed loosestrife or mapleleaf viburnum. Wild grapes and ripe gooseberries may tempt you. Elderberries, raspberries, and currants are also present.
Though small, Perkins Woods offers a sense of seclusion. The crushed gravel trails are well-maintained. Significant restoration efforts have taken place over the past 30 years. Volunteers have removed thousands of invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle trees.
In 1916 the Illinois Supreme Court approved the new district. This was in Perkins v. Board of County Commissioners. The court held that the district had the right to issue bonds.
Cornelia Grumman is the great granddaughter of Dwight Perkins. She recalls her great-grandfather’s vision. He wanted to create and preserve open space accessible to the public.
Today people continue to care about these oases. These oases of beauty and nature reflect what our great-grandfather had in mind. A stroll through Perkins Woods is both pleasurable and educational.
Remember Dwight Perkins as you explore. He was a man who turned his vision into a reality. His legacy lives on in this small but vital forest preserve.