History
Our story begins in 1957, with Ethel Untermyer and her three-year-old son Frank who wanted to go exploring in the woods.New to Lake County, Ethel and her young family had just moved from nearby Chicago and she was unfamiliar with the area. When Ethel asked a friend where the nearest Forest Preserve was, she was stunned to hear that Lake County had none. After all, Cook County already had 47,000 acres protected. So the next day, Ethel initiated a county-wide referendum to establish the Lake County Forest Preserve District. It wasn’t an easy undertaking, but like any person who makes a difference, Ethel didn’t let early disappointments defeat her.
Just four people came to her first meeting. But she wasn’t deterred. She started driving her Studebaker throughout the county, sometimes on dirt roads. She spoke with groups and garnered support. She sought out local leaders and got a quick education in politics. Spurred to action by this inspired 33-year-old homemaker, other concerned citizens rose to the challenge and joined in the effort.
In those days, Lake County's population hadn't even reached 300,000, but people were already shaking their heads about the loss of open space and the fast pace of development. The first organization to endorse the referendum was the Lake County Farm Bureau.By election day in the fall of 1958, a groundswell of public support emerged. The referendum passed with an overwhelming 60 percent of votes. Twenty days later, the Lake County Forest Preserve District was legally established in Lake County Circuit Court. A citizens' advisory committee was immediately created, with Ethel Untermyer as its chair. In 1961, the first Lake County Forest Preserve was created: Van Patten Woods near Wadsworth. On that day, Ethel reflected on her efforts and said, "This is the secret, the magic everyone is looking for when they crave preservation of open areas: every solitary soul able to look beyond the end of his nose is the vital spark to achieving a Forest Preserve District. There is no apathy among the people."
Unique to Illinois, forest preserve districts were designed to protect large natural areas. Education and recreation would be important offerings, but primarily within that natural context.
Ethel’s Woods Forest Preserve, a 475-acre high-quality natural area near Old Mill Creek, has been named in honor of her efforts and visionary leadership. The Preserve will forever stand as a symbol of the difference one person can make for the benefit of many.
As time has passed, generation after generation has followed Ethel’s example. With the support of voters, the Lake County Forest Preserves have blossomed into a system of vibrant natural areas that have been recognized as a national leader in conservation.
Ethel’s legacy lives on.
Today, our vision and commitment of protecting natural areas for future generations, and offering innovative education and recreational opportunities remains steadfast. The core of our mission is preservation, restoration, education and recreation. We host more than 3.5 million visits each year, and offer fun, wholesome ways for people of all ages to celebrate, learn, relax and renew in Forest Preserves throughout Lake County.
With more than 26,500 acres of open space, visitors can enjoy more than 125 miles of scenic trail for a variety of outdoor recreation uses, fishing ponds and lakes, public access to Lake Michigan and the Fox River, award-winning nature and history education programs and events, picnic shelters, and four public golf courses.