Chapter Events

Jacob Kuban presented a short history of Peoria's Donovan Park to approximately 30 members.  Following its use as farmland, the 138 acres was opened as Northmoor Golf Course in 1929.  The golf course was closed in 2015 and renamed Donovan Park.  After a couples of years letting nature take its course the part district realized that to have a usable park the land would have to be managed.  Jaco and his staff have been helping the property revert back to a nature preserve with some oak savanna by getting rid of invasive species and converting some of the property in a native Illinois prairie.  Taking down unwanted trees to open the canopy will allow the growth of young trees such a oak. 

During a hike, Jacob led the group past an historic observatory currently owned by Bradley University.  He then led us to a wooded area on the south part of the preserve which is just behind Proctor Hospital.  He pointed out how oriental honeysuckle and other invasive plants have been removed around two white oaks that date to more than 200 years. There also are some very old black oaks on the property.  The group walked through several wooded areas tht had been taken over by silver maples planted by the golf course staff.  Taking own large silver maples opened up the canopy for more valuable species.  The last area we saw was a seeded prairie several years old.  The prairie is mowed regularly since burning is almost impossible since the park is bordered by a hospital, grade school, businesses and private homes.