Crow Island Woods, Illinois, United States

5Taylor B 5:00 PM Nov 15, 2022

See the log cabin that was built in 1837
Crow Island Woods is the second largest park in the Winnetka Park District, Located at 1140 Willow Road, directly west of Crow Island School, the park covers 17.91 acres and includes a historic log cabin, the Schmidt-Burnham Log House, that was built in 1837 and moved to the site in the northeast meadow in 2003. The northern half of the park consists of a variety of grassy areas framed by groupings of trees and shrubs. A wet sedge meadow to the west can be explored via a winding wooden boardwalk. Parking is available in the center of the park via a gravel road off of Willow Road. The southern half of the park is a natural red oak savanna which is laced with mulched pathways for leisurely walks. A picnic shelter with restrooms is located south of the parking area. Historically, forestry experts believe that Crow Island Woods is a remnant of what early settlers in the late 1820s described as the "Big Woods" which intermingled with swampy areas that flooded with every rain. In fact, the park contains trees and over 100 species of plants that date to the time of the early settlers. Also see the nearby Crow Island School, which was built in 1940 and currently serves kindergarten through fourth grade students. More importantly, it is noted for its International Style architecture. a unique design that allows each classroom to have its own outdoor courtyard. The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990.

5illinois travelere 5:00 PM Mar 25, 2020

one of the Illinois 200 Great Places
As the name Crow Island suggests, this is a lovely spot for bird watching and you will hear bird calls any time you visit. Crow Island Woods is a large (17.91 acre) neighborhood park with access to the landmark Crow Island School campus to the east. The school, built in 1940 with open, sunny, L-shaped classrooms opening onto individual courtyards, is the location of our country's first jungle gym. The school's innovative architecture became a model for mid-century schools. Fun fact: The swampy land was filled in with landfill from two local WPA projects. The park has benches; drinking fountains; picnic sites with tables; bike racks; a shelter with fire pit, washrooms and fireplaces (and an artificial owl overseeing it all -- look up); forest areas -- wetland, prairie, savanna, and woodland; and walking paths (some with signage) including a boardwalk in the sedge/prairie area. One highlight is the Council Circle -- based on historical Native American circles -- consisting of 21 native oak trees planted in a 160-foot circle. Some of them were grown from seedlings of an authentic Trail Marker tree that stood in the area. Another highlight is the oldest known log structure in Cook County -- the 1837 Schmidt-Burnham Log House. It has been moved twice since it was originally built as a farmstead. Artist/Author Anita Willets-Burnham moved it in 1917 to another Winnetka location and then her family willed it to the Winnetka Historical Society which moved it to Crow Island Woods. There is a parking lot at the end of a very bumpy gravel driveway ( 25 feet east of Euclid Avenue) which runs south from the entrance on Willow Road. Proceed slowly. Leashed dogs are allowed. The name Winnetka is believed to originate from the Potawatomi language, and means "beautiful place". That certainly applies to lovely, tranquil Crow Island Woods.