In 1820, Illinois outnumbered every other state in prairie. Illinois’ prairie sea of big bluestem and rattlesnake master encompassed over 22 million acres! To put those numbers in perspective, 22 million acres is equal to over 34,000 square miles. Rhode Island by contrast, is 1,000 square miles. Progress and the flat, fertile prairie soil would entice countless numbers of people to move to Illinois. In less than one hundred years, westward expansion blossomed into 6.8 million small family farms in the United States.
Today, the prairie wind has seemingly swept aside both staggering numbers. By 1978, only 2,300 acres of high quality prairie remained in Illinois. By 2000, only 1/3 of “small” family farms remained; many without a successor in the next generation.
These are Illinois’ numbers. But if you are like me, it may be hard to put a face to the numbers. People existed behind these numbers and they were filled with hopes and dreams. They were a people who overcame great struggles.
How can we learn from their mistakes?
How can we honor and be grateful for their triumphs and sacrifices?
Local park and recreation providers, like the Carol Stream Park District present us with accessible windows into our recent past to find answers to these questions. Find yourself lucky to find yourself enjoying their living monument to the family farm at Slepicka Homestead Park, which connects you with the people who existed behind the numbers. This quiet neighborhood park embodies the tranquil farmstead life of the past. It is masterfully designed to draw the visitor into the heritage of Carol Stream by pointing its trails toward a 1940’s era silo where one can learn the story of the Slepicka family. While you visit, stroll past residents trying their own hand at urban farming through their community garden.
Take time to connect with the hard work of farm life through their challenging and creative exercise trail.
Visit Slepicka Homestead Park for a day trip getaway. Let the Carol Stream Park District help you learn about local history and have fun in the process. Numbers may represent the past, but parks connect you to people.
Visit: Slepicka Homestead Park, 1301 Lily Lane, Carol Stream, IL
https://www.csparks.org/slepicka-park/
Consider: Nature lovers will enjoy a short visit to walk the trails at Armstrong Park, home to the infamous purple martins of Balog Island.
Next, head over to Blue Heron Park for a chance at a rare sighting of the yellow-throated blackbird and other wetland species. Or just relax and enjoy a round of putt putt at Coyote Crossing Mini-Golf.
Enjoy!
