Parks and Open Spaces
The Village owns several open spaces throughout Mettawa.
Please reference their location and acreage within the following property listings (PDF).
A Mettawa Gateway Preserve
Whippoorwill Park is located at the northwest corner of Riverwoods Blvd and Townline Road. The park is surrounded by the Whippoorwill Farm Preserve which makes these two properties over 11 acres. The preserve includes a landscaped berm at the southeast corner of the property. This park offers native landscaping for serene escape for nature enthusiasts and visitors alike. Over the years, several enhancements have been added to the park for greater enjoyment. The park’s attraction includes a welcoming paver patio, which houses a picnic table perfect for family gatherings or solitary reflections. Two benches have been installed at the park to recognize former Trustee Bill Armstrong and Trustee Denis Bohm. Surrounding the patio are vibrant native plants. In addition, this park is the one of two locations that contain a pollinator garden. Parks and Recreation Committee continue to enhance the gardens areas to nurture colorful flowers to invite the butterflies and bees to pollinate. The melodic calls of native birds, combined with the gentle hum of pollinating insects make Whippoorwill Park a natural beauty with tranquility.
A Diamond in the Rough
MacLean Preserve at Oasis Park can be found on the east side of Mettawa off Bradley Road. This 21acre parcel was purchased to remain as a conservation and preservation lot within the village. This park includes a village trail, a key feature, to encourage connectivity and offering residents a scenic route to traverse and appreciate the beauty of the preserve. The park was renamed from Oasis Park to MacLean Preserve at Oasis Park in February of 2020 in honor of the prior Mayor Barry MacLean for his 29 years of service to Mettawa. The trail that runs through the park does connect with the Des Plaines River Trail at St. Marys Road. Trail walkers can also appreciate the bench along the park surrounded by beautifully landscaped flowers and plants as an invitation to the watch the various birds and butterflies that visit the park.
The Parks and Recreation Committee partnered with Pizzo & Associates Inc., to nurture the native plants, control the invasive species, and enhance the ecological value of the preserve for both wildlife and the local community. The park has quickly become a sanctuary for residents, offering a serene environment away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The large berm is another significant feature of the park. It was designed to reduce and buffer some of the Oasis Business Center lights and noise emanating to the surrounding residents.
The Village contracted with Hey & Associates Inc., to complete a stormwater study throughout the village. The full stormwater study report from May of 2021 can be found in the link below. In addition, a status report from some of the identified drainage issue locations has been provided. In October of 2023, Hey & Associates Inc., attended the Committee meeting to provide an update on the large stormwater drainage project designed for MacLean Preserve at Oasis Park. Hey & Associates Inc., reported Gewalt Hamilton Engineering firm are reviewing all municipality submissions for grant requests and they anticipate announcing the grant awards late Fall of 2024. Please direct any questions regarding the stormwater drainage to the
Everett Pond
The village grouped their three most southerly east parcels and named them, Everrett Pond. One of three parcels adjacent to the Illinois Tollway along Riverwoods Road is 19-acres was formally known as “the hay field.” This parcel underwent a significant transformation since its purchase in 2013. The parcel was cleared of overgrown buckthorn and years of fly dumping that occurred. Through the dedicated efforts of the Village, this parcel was restored in the early years following the acquisition. Once the land was restored to a better state, it was leased to a local farmer. This leasing arrangement has proved mutually beneficial; the land has been put to productive use while the farmer has harvested on valuable agriculture land. The primary crop cultivated on this parcel is hay. The harvested hay serves a useful purpose to the Mettawa residents as it is available for purchase for nearby equestrian stables. Once the mowing is completed, the land serves as a habitat for local wildlife and a natural area for the village. The larger parcel of the grouping was purchased from W.W. Grainger in 2023. The newly acquired parcel was about 31 acres. This location also went through a transformation. The thick buckthorn and even larger pieces of debris from fly dumping, required a dumpster. The land clearing has since been completed in February of 2024 and the parcels beauty has been exposed.
Mettawa Savanna
Mettawa Savanna is located at the southwest end of the village on Riverwoods Road. This 100-acre open space lot was acquired from W.W. Grainger in July of 2023. The village’s one objective for this parcel and the northern parcel also on Riverwoods Road, was to revive and restore the open space. Parks and Recreation Committee began its restoration including, clearing a temporary gravel road and the buckthorn along with mowing the whole field in preparation to harvest. The village’s goal is to preserve and conserve the surrounding open areas within Mettawa.