The Wait is Almost Over - Visit the Bison at Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve, Beginning May 1
Want to visit the bison at Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve? The gates to the preserve will reopen at sunrise on Friday, May 1.
In December, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County made history when it brought six bison back onto Kane County prairie for the first time in 200 years. The gates to the preserve have been closed as part of the District's regular winter closures. While other seasonal closures will likely end April 1, the Forest Preserve District is using the month of April to add improvements to Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve to better accommodate visitors.
Site improvements are being conducted to both build visitor capacity and enhance safety features. The current asphalt parking lot at Burlington Prairie holds eight vehicles. An adjoining, gravel parking area will soon accommodate 41 vehicles, as well as three school buses. In addition, a split-rail fence will be added along the north and west sides of the current, electric fence.
“We know folks are eager to see the bison in their new home. We've already had groups calling about nature programs, school field trips and shelter reservations. The parking and fencing improvements in April will allow for additional visitors, and make the experience better and safer for both the public and the animals," said Executive Director Benjamin Haberthur.
While leashed dogs are still welcome in the preserve, the District is asking the public not to bring dogs near the bison enclosure. Dogs in the preserve should be kept north (across the entrance road) or west of the enclosure (past the picnic shelter). The District's Use Ordinance will be updated to reflect the change, and violators will be subject to a fine.
“We want to keep the bison comfortable in their new surroundings, and that means keeping pets a safe distance away from the enclosure. We also want everyone to be able to visit and enjoy seeing the bison, and in a way that is as calm for the bison as it is for the people, " Haberthur said.
Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve is located at 13N240 Engel Rd., Sycamore. (The preserve is within Burlington, but the mailing address is Sycamore.) Beginning May 1, the preserve's gates will be open from sunrise to sunset.
For more information on the Forest Preserve District of Kane County or the bison project, visit
www.kaneforest.com or find the District on social media by searching @forestpreserve.
