Journal & Topics Media Group

Glenview Park District Buys 3.1 Acres For Grove Expansion


Wetlands at the Glenview Park District’s Grove. (Glenview Park District photo)

The Grove National Historic Landmark grew by 3.1 acres after Glenview Park District officials closed on the purchase of a key piece of property.

The parcel of land off West Lake Avenue, at 1500 Portage Run, will fill an important need for Grove managers. The parcel is located at the narrowest part of The Grove property where a foot bridge spans a small wetland area connecting two large parts of The Grove property.

Although the purchase price was $670,000, after state grants and a donation from the Grove Heritage Association, only $10,000 came from the park district budget for the land.

That $10,000 came from a fund to purchase open land approved by a voter referendum in 2018. An additional $380,000 came from a Grove Heritage Association donation. An additional $280,000 toward the property purchase came from an Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.

The new purchase brings the total size of The Grove to more than 150 acres and will allow park officials to build a path around the wetland allowing heavier trucks and equipment easier access to a back 70-acre portion of The Grove property, which contains trails and more areas of nature preserve.

“As part of the original Kennicott Grove, this particular property is important for ecology, cultural history and for our operations,” Grove Director Lorin Ottlinger said. “It will give the park district easier access to that area of The Grove and provide the opportunity for new programming. So, we are thrilled to have it,”  

The last property purchase made at The Grove was in 2016 when a 1.19-acre parcel at 4111 Kennicott Ln. was purchased.

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