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

Partners in Conservation

Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Forest Preserves of Cook County: The Early Years

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 2, 2025

1. Partners in Conservation Marker

Inscription.

Partners in Conservation. Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Forest Preserves of Cook County: The Early Years. , In the beginning, Charles Wacker, head of the Chicago Plan Commission expressed, exactly what the District sought in its acquisition of its land holdings:,

"Think of the benefits, educational, recreational, and financial, which a zoological garden, ideally located and wisely developed as this one will be, will bring. What a source of delight and instruction such a place will be to persons of all ages; from the children who can barely toddle to the grandparents who will take them!"

, In the early 20th century, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County was established as one of the first and largest forest preserve districts in the nation. Soon after, it received an offer of donated land from Chicago socialite Edith Rockefeller McCormick, who stipulated that it be used for the construction of a modern, world-class zoo. Forest Preserve Commissioners and other prominent citizens established the private nonprofit Chicago Zoological Society to plan, build, and operate the zoological park that is now known as Brookfield Zoo Chicago., A Relationship with a Past , The partnership between Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Forest Preserves of Cook County has been hailed as one of the most successful public-private partnerships between North American conservation organizations. The Forest Preserves owns the land and buildings on zoo grounds and provides funding for the zoo., Today, Brookfield Zoo Chicago raises more than 80 percent of its gross operating revenue and funds for capital needs. Each year, the Society generates more than $153 million in economic activity and over $22 million in local, state, and federal tax revenues in Illinois. It employs over 335 full-time (and regular part-time) employees and 600 seasonal employees., Brookfield Zoo Chicago has an international reputation for innovation, leadership, and excellence. The Zoo is recognized for research and expertise in animal care and welfare, wide-ranging conservation initiatives at home and abroad, award-winning education programs for youth and teachers, professional training opportunities for scientists and veterinarians, and impactful community outreach.,

1869: Sanitation specialist Dr. John H. Rauch proposes the establishment of a park district to make Chicago habitable. Garfield, Humboldt, Douglas, Jackson, and Washington parks are created that year. , 1893: No new parks have been created since 1869, and Chicago is ranked 30th in the country in the number of its parks. The World's Columbian Exposition reignites the discussion. , 1899: The Special Park Commission, headed by Chicago architects Jens Jensen and Dwight H. Perkins, is formed. In the early 1900s, the two architects initiate a study that suggests an agency is needed to preserve natural areas. Their Metropolitan Park Report is published in 1905. , 1903: Henry Foreman, president of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, establishes the Outer Belt Park Commission to create a system of parks and boulevards surrounding Chicago. , 1905, 1908, 1911: Various Illinois State laws are passed to protect local natural areas but are weakly worded or ruled unconstitutional. , 1913: The Forest Preserve District Act of 1913 authorizes a Forest Preserve District to acquire and protect local natural areas for the benefit of the public. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is established the next year. , The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is now called the Forest Preserves of Cook County. , 1916: The Forest Preserve District of Cook County makes its first purchase: 500 acres of Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Palatine in northwestern Cook County. , 1919: Chicago socialite Edith Rockefeller McCormick donates 83 acres so that Forest Preserve District can turn them into a modern zoo. , 1921: The Chicago Zoological Society is chartered as a private not-for-profit institution to manage the Chicago Zoological Park. Society membership is drawn from prominent Chicago citizens. , 1922: Respected zoologist William Temple Hornaday, president of the New York Zoological Society (now Wildlife Conservation Society), gives the project his blessing. The New York Zoological Society's similar public/private partnership offers inspiration for the new Chicago zoo. , 1934: The Chicago Zoological Park (the official name of Brookfield Zoo Chicago) opens.

, A Zoo's Who's Who , The formation of the Chicago Zoological Society was seen as a prestigious enterprise, and many of Chicago's civic and business leaders became involved. Take a look at this short list of early governing members of the Society. When you read some of these names, do any Chicagoland landmarks come to mind?, Charles G. Dawes (U.S. Vice-President and Nobel Peace Prize winner) . Marshall Field (founder of the Chicago Sun-Times) . Charles L. Hutchinson (first president of the Art Institute of Chicago) . Samuell Insull (early head of Commonwealth Edison) . Robert P. Lamont (U.S. Secretary of Commerce) . Colonel Robert McCormick (publisher of the Chicago Tribune) . Joy Morton (founder of Morton Salt) . Potter Palmer (cofounder of Marshall Field and Company) . John G. Shedd (president of Marshall Field and Company) . William Wrigley, Jr. (owner of the Chicago Cubs)

In the beginning, Charles Wacker, head of the Chicago Plan Commission expressed, exactly what the District sought in its acquisition of its land holdings:

"Think of the benefits, educational, recreational, and financial, which a zoological garden, ideally located and wisely developed as this one will be, will bring. What a source of delight and instruction such a place will be to persons of all ages; from the children who can barely toddle to the grandparents who will take them!"

In the early 20th century, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County was established as one of the first and largest forest preserve districts in the nation. Soon after, it received an offer of donated land from Chicago socialite Edith Rockefeller McCormick, who stipulated that it be used for the construction of a modern, world-class zoo. Forest Preserve Commissioners and other prominent citizens established the private nonprofit Chicago Zoological Society to plan, build, and operate the zoological park that is now known as Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

A Relationship with a Past
The partnership between Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Forest Preserves of Cook County has been hailed as one of the most successful public-private partnerships between North American conservation organizations. The Forest

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Preserves owns the land and buildings on zoo grounds and provides funding for the zoo.

Today, Brookfield Zoo Chicago raises more than 80 percent of its gross operating revenue and funds for capital needs. Each year, the Society generates more than $153 million in economic activity and over $22 million in local, state, and federal tax revenues in Illinois. It employs over 335 full-time (and regular part-time) employees and 600 seasonal employees.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago has an international reputation for innovation, leadership, and excellence. The Zoo is recognized for research and expertise in animal care and welfare, wide-ranging conservation initiatives at home and abroad, award-winning education programs for youth and teachers, professional training opportunities for scientists and veterinarians, and impactful community outreach.

1869: Sanitation specialist Dr. John H. Rauch proposes the establishment of a park district to make Chicago habitable. Garfield, Humboldt, Douglas, Jackson, and Washington parks are created that year.
1893: No new parks have been created since 1869, and Chicago is ranked 30th in the country in the number of its parks. The World's Columbian Exposition reignites the discussion.
1899: The Special Park Commission, headed by Chicago architects Jens Jensen and Dwight H. Perkins,
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 2, 2025

2. Partners in Conservation Marker
The Tropic World building can be seen in the background.
is formed. In the early 1900s, the two architects initiate a study that suggests an agency is needed to preserve natural areas. Their Metropolitan Park Report is published in 1905.
1903: Henry Foreman, president of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, establishes the Outer Belt Park Commission to create a system of parks and boulevards surrounding Chicago.
1905, 1908, 1911: Various Illinois State laws are passed to protect local natural areas but are weakly worded or ruled unconstitutional.
1913: The Forest Preserve District Act of 1913 authorizes a Forest Preserve District to acquire and protect local natural areas for the benefit of the public. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is established the next year.*
*The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is now called the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
1916: The Forest Preserve District of Cook County makes its first purchase: 500 acres of Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Palatine in northwestern Cook County.
1919: Chicago socialite Edith Rockefeller McCormick donates 83 acres so that Forest Preserve District can turn them into a modern zoo.
1921: The Chicago Zoological Society is chartered as a private not-for-profit institution to manage the Chicago Zoological Park. Society membership is drawn from prominent
Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum (ICHi-176315)

3. Edith Rockefeller McCormick (1872-1932)
Edith McCormick, who donated the land for the Brookfield Zoo, was the daughter of John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil. Her husband, Harold Fowler McCormick, was the son of Chicago-based inventor Cyrus McCormick, who founded the International Harvester Company.
Chicago citizens.
1922: Respected zoologist William Temple Hornaday, president of the New York Zoological Society (now Wildlife Conservation Society), gives the project his blessing. The New York Zoological Society's similar public/private partnership offers inspiration for the new Chicago zoo.
1934: The Chicago Zoological Park (the official name of Brookfield Zoo Chicago) opens.

A Zoo's Who's Who
The formation of the Chicago Zoological Society was seen as a prestigious enterprise, and many of Chicago's civic and business leaders became involved. Take a look at this short list of early governing members of the Society. When you read some of these names, do any Chicagoland landmarks come to mind?

Charles G. Dawes (U.S. Vice-President and Nobel Peace Prize winner) • Marshall Field (founder of the Chicago Sun-Times) • Charles L. Hutchinson (first president of the Art Institute of Chicago) • Samuell Insull (early head of Commonwealth Edison) • Robert P. Lamont (U.S. Secretary of Commerce) • Colonel Robert McCormick (publisher of the Chicago Tribune) • Joy Morton (founder of Morton Salt) • Potter Palmer (cofounder of Marshall Field & Company) • John G. Shedd (president of Marshall Field & Company) • William Wrigley, Jr. (owner of the Chicago Cubs)

Erected 2024.

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Government & Politics • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 41° 49.976′ N, 87° 50.041′ W. Marker is in Brookfield, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on 31st Street near Golfview Avenue. This marker is located along the circular pathway around the central fountain at the Brookfield Zoo. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8400 31st Street, 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: Theodore Roosevelt Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Hamza (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); George F. Getz (about 300 feet away); The Swamp (about 400 feet away); Baboon Island (about 500 feet away); Wild African Lions (about 500 feet away); The Carousel (about 500 feet away); Hamill Family Play Zoo (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookfield.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Partners in Conservation (has been replaced with this marker).

More about this marker. The marker is a replacement of an almost identically worded sign that had been at the same spot. The sign was updated to reflect a rebranding of the park's name to Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 55 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 3, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.