Half Day

Half Day provides the opportunity to see the powerful effects of water and fire. Prior to settlement by Europeans, human and natural caused fires were an important disturbance that helped shape the natural communities we find along the Des Plaines River. As a result, Half Day, which is situated west of the river, supports the oaks and prairie plants that thrived under fire’s influence. Though many natural areas at Half Day were degraded by farming, some survived and others are being restored.

In spring, the bridge between Half Day and Wright Woods is a popular place to spot migrating songbirds such as the yellow-rumped warbler and northern waterthrush. These migrants use the river's greenway as a stopping place on their journey north. Later in the summer, look for nesting field birds throughout these preserves. Eastern bluebirds, tree swallows and red-tailed hawks are commonly seen in the more open area. Wood ducks, scarlet tanagers and ovenbirds use woodlands for nesting.

In the early 1960s, these acres were some of the first we acquired. The old farm fields west of the river remained fallow for many years until Half Day was developed in the late 1980s. This preserve was named for Potowatomi chief, Aptakisic, whose name means "sun at its meridian" or "half day."

The entrance is on Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue) at the light for Woodlands Parkway, south of Route 60 (Townline Road) and just north of Route 22 (Half Day Road).