James 'Pate' Philip State Park
Location
Located on the north side of Stearns Road, west of Powis Road. The visitor center address is 2054 West Stearns Road, Bartlett. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Region 2 Office is located at 2050 West Stearns Road.
Preserve Maps
- James 'Pate' Philip State Park Trail map (242 KB PDF)
James 'Pate' Philip State Park History
James 'Pate' Philip State Park's mission is to celebrate Illinois' natural history. In 1989, the Illinois General Assembly appropriated $10 million to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the acquisition of James 'Pate' Philip State Park. The goal was to blend the forest, marshland and grasslands of DuPage County's Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve to the south with the newly purchased conservation lands to the north. Establishment of native vegetation at James 'Pate' Philip State Park would create new opportunities for wildlife corridors and greenway connections to DuPage, Kane and Cook counties.
In 1991, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources developed the Native Vegetation Restoration Plan to guide preliminary restoration activities at the site. Since most of the park's property was used for agricultural purposes, the plan called for the conversion of row crops to native vegetation where possible, the removal of cattle from pastureland, the removal of hedgerows, and the reintroduction of natural processes, such as fire, to the few remnant native plant communities that remain at the site.
In 1995, plans began for the construction of the new Region 2 Illinois Department of Natural Resources headquarters and the James 'Pate' Philip State Park Visitor Center. Construction began in the fall of 2000, and the park opened to the public in April of 2003. Today, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is actively involved in the operation of the visitor center and the management and restoration of the natural areas contained within the park.
Although the land and building are owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in trust for all Illinois citizens, the park and visitor center are managed by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
James 'Pate' Philip Natural History
Native Americans were the first humans to inhabit the area that is now James 'Pate' Philip State Park. The French were the first Europeans to explore it. Farmers, factory and office workers, along with their families, soon followed, prospering but changing the landscape dramatically.
The park was once mainly wet, tallgrass prairie, rich with flowers and grasses and home to creatures from insects to bison. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's goal is to restore as fully as possible portions of natural ecosystems, including prairie, woodland and wetland. It's an ongoing effort, a work in progress. Visitors are invited to come back often and watch the restoration take shape.
Environmental Education
The James 'Pate' Philip State Park Visitor Center provides a special window into the park's restoration story. An exhibit area containing photomurals and interactive displays highlights the prairie and the need to protect and restore this valuable ecosystem. A small theater features videos that tell the story of that land - from the glaciers that sculpted it to the settlers, farmers and developers who tamed it, to the individuals who now work to restore it. For more information, call the visitor center at (847) 608-3100.
Educational Programs
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County offers a variety of educational programs through the James 'Pate' Philip State Park Visitor Center. Educators, youth group leaders, families and individuals interested in learning more about scheduled programming should call the visitor center at (847) 608-3100.
Schools
School groups are welcome to participate in the educational programs offered at James 'Pate' Philip State Park. Several programs designed for age-appropriate audiences demonstrate the need and value of restoring the land to the highest diversity level possible. School groups will witness the restoration process through these educational programs.
Youth Groups
Group tours are available through the restored natural areas. Requirements for several Scout badges for boys and girls can be met by attending a program at the James 'Pate' Philip State Park Visitor Center.
Families and Individuals
A variety of programs for families and individuals are available including bird walks, flower walks, restoration workdays and children's activities.
Outdoor Recreation
Trails
More than five miles of trails wind through James 'Pate' Philip State Park. These multipurpose trails meander through some of the park's most scenic areas and are ways for hikers, horseback riders, cyclists and cross-country skiers to see and enjoy the park.
Picnicking
Visitors can take advantage of the picnicking opportunities available at James 'Pate' Philip State Park, such as a non-reservable 50-person-capacity picnic shelter with a large grill. Ground fires are prohibited, but visitors may bring their own grills and dispose of coals in the hot-coal containers provided. For information on reserving the shelter, call (630) 933-7248.
Accessibility
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. At James 'Pate' Philip State Park, people will find the main building and trails well-suited for wheelchairs and strollers. Modernized, accessible restrooms are also available.
For special accessibility needs or concerns, please contact the District's ADA coordinator at (630) 933-7683 or TTY (800) 526-0857 at least three business days in advance of your visit.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5000, Wheaton, IL 60189-5000
email: forest@dupageforest.com (630) 933-7200 Fax: (630) 933-7204 TTY: (800) 526-0857