Brookfield in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Brookfield Oak Savanna

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 16, 2025

1. The Brookfield Oak Savanna Marker

Inscription. An oak savanna is land between a forest and prairie. It has some trees, but enough light gets through to let a wide variety of plants flourish on the ground. It's an ideal habitat for a great diversity of life.

Walking through The Brookfield Oak Savanna, you can notice some of the variety people saw, heard, and smelled in these habitats many years ago.

In the hot summer blooms of pink milkweed, yellow black-eyed Susans, and lavender beebalm paint the landscape and provide great hiding places for both predators and prey.

In spring, early bloomers like mayapple, trillium, trout lily, and spring beauty blanket the ground. Migrating birds pause for recuperation during their incredible journeys.

In winter, look for tracks in the snow. The native plants attract more native animals to the park. And on a warm, late winter day, you might even see a mourning cloak butterfly!

Cooler fall weather brings out goldenrods and asters that provide nectar for migrating monarch butterflies.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry.

Location. 41° 49.645′ N,

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87° 50.452′ W. Marker is in Brookfield, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from Washington Avenue west of Arden Avenue, on the right. The marker is on the northern side of Kiwanis Park, on the path through the park's oak savanna. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brookfield IL 60513, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Brookfield Oak Savanna (within shouting distance of this marker); Exploring an Oak Savanna (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Punta San Juan (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Living Coast (approx. 0.3 miles away); Historic Grossdale Station (approx. 0.3 miles away);

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 16, 2025

2. The Brookfield Oak Savanna Marker

Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Feathers and Scales (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookfield.

More about this marker. Another sign with different text about the Brookfield Oak Savanna can be found a short hike east of here in the park.

Kiwanis Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 16, 2025

3. Kiwanis Park

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 129 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.