Elmhurst Park District: Keith A. OIson Prairie (formerly Elmhurst Great Western Prairie)

Join the Elmhurst Park District in caring for the beautiful, six-acre native remnant, the Keith A. Olson Prairie (formerly the Elmhurst Great Western Prairie) located in Wild Meadows Trace just north of the Illinois Prairie Path between Spring Road & Salt Creek.
This area is the oldest living environment in Elmhurst. Before Elmhurst was founded in 1827, the Illinois landscape was mostly prairie, and the vistas had changed little for thousands of years. Even 50 years ago, much was still undisturbed. Today, the development of residential and commercial areas in our town have transformed the landscape, yet we are lucky to discover that "a piece of the past" still remains.

*In early 2024, Elmhurst Park District renamed the prairie to honor the memory of Keith Olson, whose dedication, hard work and advocacy made the preservation of this prairie possible.

Alongside EPD Parks staff, volunteers will assist with restoration and maintenance efforts at the Keith A. Olson Prairie. The workday begins at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the third Saturday of specified months.

Tasks change depending on the season and typically include; using hand tools to cut and remove woody invasive or undesired species, removing invasive or exotic weeds and vines, collecting and/or spreading native seeds, removing trash or litter within the landscape and occasional planting when applicable.

2025 Workdays: 2/15, 3/15, 4/19, 9/20, 10/18 & 11/15

Sign Up: All interested volunteers are asked to sign-up prior to the workday at - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054FAEA92AA3FE3-54372615-2025#/

Additional Information:  

All volunteers must sign-up in advance of the workday

Volunteers must be at least 15 years of age

All volunteers are required to sign the EPD Liability Waiver before joining the workday

      (parent/guardian if under18 years of age)

All volunteers should wear long sleeves and long pants

Volunteers are expected to arrange their own water, durable work gloves and bug spray/sunscreen

Workdays take place outside, volunteers should dress for the weather

EPD will provide all tools & equipment needed for the workday objectives

Cancellations: Workdays are weather-dependent & enrollment dependent. Cancellation notifications will be sent via sign-up genius after 5:00 p.m. the Friday before