Barbara Reed-Turner

Barbara is familiar to most people in the Long Grove area as the namesake of Reed-Turner Woodland Preserve, a natural treasure of woodland, ravine, sedge meadow, creek, pond, stream, wildflowers, and wildlife. Barbara grew up in this area and later donated her family’s land as a nature preserve. Her colorful history and generous legacy to Long Grove extends well beyond Reed-Turner Woodland.

Reed-Turner Woodland

The Reed-Turner Woodland Preserve is managed by the Long Grove Park District.

Reed-Turner Woodland is located along a deeply incised branch of Indian Creek. The preserve is a remnant of a presettlement prairie grove which once occurred along Indian and Killdeer Creeks, from the current village of Long Grove to Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Cook County. All that remains today are small portions of floodplain and upland forest, and sparse remnants of savanna and prairie vegetation. Oaks and hickories dominate the upland areas while the floodplain contains black willow, green ash and black walnut. American elms were common along the stream, but they have been eliminated by Dutch elm disease. The site contains an interesting wet meadow which is dominated by sedges, rushes and a few wetland forbs such as meadow rue, marsh aster, and curly dock. Over 116 species of birds have been observed in the preserve including resident populations of waterfowl and herons. Many common woodland mammals also live in the area.

Located at 3849 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, Illinois, the 50-acre section of the original grove of oak and hickory trees for which Long Grove was named, is a beautiful, calm place to walk, watch, and listen for the ever present signs of wild life. 

Trails are open dawn to dusk, weather permitting.  They are well defined and most are covered in wood chips for easy walking. (Long Grove Park District)

The Reed-Turner Botanical Artists are working on the Reed-Turner Woodland Florilegium - a collection of artwork showcasing the plants of a particular region.

Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources