Orland Grassland

A hike through Orland Grassland, at the southern edge of Orland Park, provides expansive views of gently rolling prairie and wetland. The 960-acre site has more than 750 acres of open prairie in which rare grassland birds find needed habitat. The area was once farmland but is now being restored as a grassland complex with prairie, wetlands, open ponds, oak savannas, shrublands and woodlands. Since habitat restoration efforts began in 2002, native grasses and wildflowers have also begun to flourish. Of the millions of acres of prairie that existed in Illinois prior to the arrival of the settlers, only .001 remains. Orland Grassland is bringing back that native prairie heritage.