Fall Fridays at Jean and John Greene Nature Preserve!

Enjoy the glorious colors of fall at Lake Forest Open Lands newest preserve. Bring a friend and stroll through the ravine to the lakeshore.

Gates will be open on Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. through November as well as the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Because of the sensitive nature of plants right off the trail, no dogs or bikes are allowed on the preserve trails.
See directions and parking information below.

Lake Forest Open Lands’ Jean and John Greene Nature Preserve encompassing 61 acres contains three ravines: McCormick Ravine, Deromedi Ravine and a portion of Janes Ravine.  The trails in the Preserve, including an all-access trail to Duckworth Point, offer year-round access to Lake Michigan and opportunities to explore this unique ecosystem. 


The Preserve contains rare ravine, bluff, and lakeshore natural communities, which are home to seven state endangered and threatened native plant species and provide important resting habitat for migratory birds along the Lake Michigan flyway. Because of the highly sensitive nature of the rare plants, many of which are found directly off the trail, it is important that all visitors stay on marked trails, bicyclists park their bikes at the designated bike rack and no dogs are allowed.   

Thank you for helping us preserve this special place!

Lake Forest Open Lands’ Jean and John Greene Nature Preserve encompassing 61 acres contains three ravines: McCormick Ravine, Deromedi Ravine and a portion of Janes Ravine.  The trails in the Preserve, including an all-access trail to Duckworth Point, offer year-round access to Lake Michigan and opportunities to explore this unique ecosystem. 

The Preserve contains rare ravine, bluff, and lakeshore natural communities, which are home to seven state endangered and threatened native plant species and provide important resting habitat for migratory birds along the Lake Michigan flyway.

Because of the highly sensitive nature of the rare plants, many of which are found directly off the trail, it is important that all visitors stay on marked trails, bicyclists park their bikes at the designated bike rack and no dogs are allowed.

Thank you for helping us preserve this special place!

A view of the the Deromedi Family Bridge and Ravine

Parking

Parking access is limited; however, there is unlimited pedestrian access via the McClory bike path with ample bike racks for parking at the Preserve entrance.

Overflow parking is available at the north end of the Fort Sheridan train station parking lot which is located at the northwest corner of Sheridan and Old Elm. Please remember that the City of Lake Forest does not allow parking east of Sheridan Road. 

Directions

Access and limited parking are located at the preserve. The preserve entrance is east of Sheridan Road, .2 miles south of McCormick Drive. (Google Maps directions)

 Click here for a video explaining placement and use of the entrance gate and here for a printable version of detailed parking sticker installation instructions.

  PDF

History

Learn more about the history of the Jean and John Greene Nature Preserve and its surrounding area.

The Project

Learn more about the in-depth project creating the Jean and John Greene Nature Preserve.