The Forge Creates Restoration Vision Plan For Quarries Area

LEMONT, IL — Since The Forge: Lemont Quarries opened in 2020, the outdoor adventure park has focused on preservation and conservation of the quarry area on which the park is located.

Now, three years after opening, The Forge Charitable Adventures is continuing to focus on environmental restoration in the area and has developed a comprehensive vision.

The Forge Co-Founder Jeremie Bacon said they have performed "significant restoration" on 10 to 12 of the 270 acres that need serious remediation.

"The environmental restoration plan will take 7 to 10 years to execute and a lifetime to maintain, just like any other nature preserve," Bacon said.

Invasive species remediation and trail restoration and development for bikes and pedestrians remain in progress, according to the plan website.

Bacon said the next steps are to "recruit members of the restoration advisory and oversight committee, secure additional funding from nonprofit and for-profit partners, and assemble an army of volunteers to roll up their sleeves and support the cause by coming to work days, donating to the effort, and spreading the word."

The multi-faceted, 20-year vision plan was published earlier this year.

Bacon said he sees two things as the most important parts of the plan: rapid restoration of the ecosystems of dolomite prairie and quarry shoreline, and educating the public on the importance of this work.

"The comprehensive restoration implementation plan covers the six primary ecosystems that are hanging on by a thread in the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area [HQRA]: Quarry Shoreline, Woodland, Pollinator Meadows, Forested Wetland, Marshland, and most significantly, Dolomite Prairie," Bacon said.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, dolomite prairies can be found in northern Illinois, and a 1992 survey showed that only about 140 acres of dolomite prairie remains in the state.

"We are lucky to have 6 acres at the HQRA. We have a unique opportunity to preserve what is there and extend the dolomite prairie in our backyard. This is a big deal," Bacon said.

He added that restoration of quarry shoreline is also important, as "the portions around the various quarry lakes are at the core of the HQRA and are heavily used by the public."

"Our vision calls for transforming the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area into a place that supports the diversity of native plants, animals, and fragile ecosystems while remaining a welcome place for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors," Bacon said.

To reach this goal, he said, "it will require expert conservation leadership and considerable resources to communicate our goals and priorities at the local, county, and state levels to ensure we are able to achieve them."