Park No 489
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Park No 489, also known as Deer Grove Forest Preserve, is located in the state of Illinois.
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Summary
The park is a popular destination for visitors who enjoy hiking, biking, picnicking, and wildlife watching. It offers over 1,800 acres of woodlands, prairies, and wetlands, making it a perfect spot for nature enthusiasts.
One of the main attractions in Deer Grove Forest Preserve is the hiking trails that wind through the park. The trails are well-maintained and offer a variety of difficulty levels. Visitors can also bike on the paved trails or take a leisurely stroll through the wooded areas.
Another popular feature of the park is the picnic areas. There are several picnic shelters available for reservation and numerous tables throughout the park. The picnic areas offer a peaceful and serene setting for family gatherings or romantic picnics.
Deer Grove Forest Preserve is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, and birds. Birdwatchers will enjoy the opportunity to spot a variety of species, including woodpeckers, hawks, and owls.
If you're interested in history, the park has an interesting past. It was once the site of a tuberculosis sanatorium and a Civilian Conservation Corps camp during the Great Depression.
The best time of year to visit Deer Grove Forest Preserve is during the spring and fall. The park is particularly beautiful during these seasons, with colorful foliage and blooming wildflowers.
In conclusion, Deer Grove Forest Preserve offers visitors a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. With its abundant wildlife, scenic hiking trails, and picnic areas, it's no wonder it is a popular destination for nature lovers.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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