The historic Greene Farm barn at Greene Valley Forest Preserve will be open for tours and feedback from 1-3PM on Sat., June 16. The public is welcome and encouraged to offer ideas on possible future uses for the big red barn, located at the southeast corner of Greene and Hobson roads in Naperville.
As a response to public inquiries about future uses for the historic property beyond providing peaceful picturesque views to folks using the trails, Forest Preserve District Commissioner Mary Lou Wehrli, District 5, will moderate a public forum with volunteers, seeking ideas from local residents for potential community-led initiatives for the barn.
“The Greene Barn needs your ideas,” emailed Wehrli. “What might be uses for the barn? Come see the magnificent timber frame 14,000 square feet interior! What could be the uses inside and out?”
In 2016 the District completed an exterior stabilization renovation project on the large historic structure, a barn first constructed in the mid-1850s. At present, there is no public use of the interior. How could this impressive representative of the past be used in the future?
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County President Joe Cantore also weighed in on the beautiful and historic place in the news release. “I am interested to hear from the community about their ideas for the potential use of the barn and how it could complement the mission of the District.”
Wehrli aims to have a report for the District this fall. “It’s a work in progress that needs to progress,” she said.
Greene Valley Forest Preserve
The Greene Farmstead is part of the District’s 1,388-acre acre Greene Valley Forest Preserve. The preserve features a 190-foot-tall scenic overlook, 12 miles of marked trails, picnic shelters, an off-leash dog area, a model craft area and a youth-group campground. The preserve is home to more than 540 native plant species, making it one of the county’s most botanically diverse sites.
DuPage Forest Preseve District of DuPage County
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years. More than 4 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 145 miles of trails, five education centers and scores of programs each year.
For information, call (630) 933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org.
