According to the unofficial Forest Preserve site , "Nowhere … is there such a large area of publicly owned native landscape as fine and as readily accessible to so many people," as the Forest Preserve Districts of Chicago.

River Trails, one of five nature centers in the Cook County District, is exactly what the preserves are meant to be; wild, low-key, quiet, contemplative, natural. The naturalist center is nothing more than an old log building with a small display room where animal pelts, wildlife posters, a small fish tank, and basic trail and facility information is available. Here you may see a plea that reads, "No Winged Wahoos, Please!" a reference to refraining from planting insidious plants that overtake the natural order of things, along with guidelines for avoiding poisonous oak, ivy and nettles during your hike.

A bald eagle, owl, hawk, and fox recuperate safely beside the center. A honeybee colony provides the excitement for the Fall Honey Festival, and crowds gather in spring for the Maple Syrup Fest. At River Trails you can start a journey either north or south and take your horse (or your bike or your Nikes) on a ten mile route from Lake Cook Road to Touhy Avenue bordering the Des Plaines River through the lush river forests. Or take a loop walk on the shorter hiking trails of under a mile. You'll probably be on your own.

As you should be. The purpose of the nature preserve isn't a staging ground for softball tournaments, or loud parties. There are other municipal parks ready to handle that sort of event. These woods are meant for solitude and study and the occasional picnic which is limited exclusively to designated areas, usually near the entrance to the trails.

As early as 1869, Dr. John Rausch spoke out on the emerging need to protect land corridors in Chicago and, "act in a manner that will not leave her far behind as compared with other cities … in other words, we want not alone a place for business, but also one in which we can live!" Some pretty amazing foresight on the part of many persons with influence in Chicago's early development. To have already given consideration to lands that extended so far from the city center at that time was purely visionary.

This concern for the open spaces laid the groundwork for the extensive system of greenbelts and wilderness which make up Chicago's Preserves, 68,000 acres in all, 80 percent of which is wild, 60 percent forested. Included in the acreage are: 2,200 picnic groves, 10 public golf courses, 4 driving ranges, 5 nature centers, 109 miles of bicycle trails, 200 miles of hiking and horseback trails, and 4,400 acres in the Illinois Nature Preserve special district. The Forest Preserve District accounts for 11% of Chicago's land mass, not including the lands held by the Park District.

Everyone from Chicago has a favorite Forest Preserve. Be sure to find yours.