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If you need a break from Chicago’s busy waterfront, drive 50 miles north on Interstate 94 to Pine Dunes Forest Preserve in Lake County. Just short of the Wisconsin state line, the preserve stretches across 956 acres of protected land, surrounded by oak-hickory forests, open meadows, and savannas. Multiple boardwalks and miles of trails wind through the sanctuary, giving visitors plenty of room to hike across the hillside and peaceful waterways. Birders can easily spot many bird species around the wetlands.
While nature draws people here, the preserve has quite a colorful backstory. Decades before it became a peaceful spot for hiking and nature walks, the hills were used as farmland by Irish immigrants, who nicknamed the area the Irish Hills. Even more interesting, in the mid-to-late 20th century, the land took on a different character: becoming a whippet track for racing dogs. Then, in 2010, Lake County Forest Preserve (LCFP) purchased the land from the McClure family, who lived there for approximately 33 years. With a $9.3 million investment, much of the area was restored to the way it was: wetlands and forests, providing a habitat for all kinds of plants and wildlife…