A Mettawa Gateway Preserve

True to the founders' vision, Village residents and businesses remain dedicated to land conservation and preservation of the rural character of the area. The Mettawa Open Lands Association (MOLA) was founded in 1989, and formally activated in 2006. Since that time, professional local landscapers and MOLA volunteers have been working to transform "Whippoorwill Farm," a Mettawa Gateway Preserve, into a beautiful native landscape reminiscent of earlier times. The property is just over 11 acres.

Over the past several years, several improvements have been made to the property. These include a landscaped berm at the southeast corner of the property, removal of buckthorn and other dead trees, significant pruning of the native trees, refurbishing of the blue stone patio that was part of the original homestead, and the planting of over 50 trees and shrubs and other landscaping. A bench recognizing former Trustee Bill Armstrong was dedicated in 2017. The park has also been placed on a regular mowing maintenance program, and to control weeds and other invasive growth. The trail that runs through the park was upgraded to reduce stormwater impacts.

It is located as property #7 on the Parks, Trails and Open Space map.

The nearly 21 acre park was purchased by the Village in two stages with the last coming in 2012. Many improvements have been completed since that time including a berm to shield the lights and noise from the adjacent Tollway’s Lake Forest Oasis, removal of buckthorn and dead trees, eradication of invasive species such as teasel, and the seeding of native grasses and other plantings. A grant from the Lake County Storm Water Management Agency was received in 2017 and the northern area of the park was improved with native vegetation and swales to control stormwater. The nearby Mettawa Trail adjacent to Bradley Road was moved away from the road through the park in 2018.

It is located as property #3 on the Parks, Trails and Open Space map.

The 19 acre hay field on the east side of Riverwoods Road, between Route 60 and Everett Road was purchased by the Village in December 2013. The property is adjacent to a 5 acre parcel the Village has owned for many years. Annually the Village has contracted with a local farmer to harvest the hay for Village and area barns.

It is located as property #10 on the Parks, Trails and Open Space map.