Nature Areas
Paul Douglas Nature Sanctuary (Wooded Island) in Jackson Park
Directions: Wooded Island is located in Jackson Park lagoon at 6401 S. Stony Island Avenue. The island can be reached from a bridge that is within walking distance of the parking lot off of Hayes Drive. A bridge on the north side of the lagoon leads to the Osaka Japanese gardens.
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Description:
Birds flock to Wooded Island because of its lush habitat and abundant food supplies. Bird watchers love Wooded Island because as many as 250 different species of birds can be spotted there. Each spring and fall millions of birds migrating along the shore of Lake Michigan stop at Paul Douglas Nature Sanctuary looking for food, shelter and a place to rest before continuing on their migration route. Over the years approximately forty-eight species of birds have successfully nested on the island. Regular nesters include downy woodpecker, Northern cardinal and black-capped chickadee. Mammals who call Wooded Island home include beaver (Castor Canadensis) and muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). Muskrats feed mostly on water plants and can hold their breath underwater for five and up to ten minutes while searching for food.
A spring walk throught the Paul Douglas Nature Sanctuary will reveal spring ephemerals such as wild columbine (Aquilegia Canadensis), Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema atrorubens), Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum), True Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum canaliculatum), False Solomon’s Seal (Smilacina racemosa), and violets (Viola sp.). Trees and shrubs include ancient oak trees, Kentucky coffee tree, elms, maples, willows, ashes, witchazel, viburnus, and serviceberry. Other shrubs at the Paul Douglas Nature Sanctuary include shrubs and vines such as Red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolinifera), Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.), Winged Wahoo (Euonumus alatus), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), Cherry (Prunus species), Staghorn Sumac (Rhus Typhina), and Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum lantana).
The island is located on sixteen acres of what was once a glacial-lakeplain containing sand ridges and marshes. In 1869, the renowned designers of New York's Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, were hired to lay out the 1055-acre Jackson Park. Olmstead’s vision for the original dune peninsula would be to turn it into what is now Wooded Island. Much of the surrounding area was dredged and filled creating the island sanctuary that exists today. When laying out the fair, Olmstead wanted the island to be regarded as a “nature sanctuary”, a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the big event.
There are two relics from the 1893 World Columbian Exposition on Wooded Island, including the site of the old rose garden. The Osaka Japanese Garden was built later. The site of the old rose garden is located in the fenced off section in the southern half of the island. The Osaka garden is located near the north bridge and is often the site of cultural festivals and performances. Both locations are also good for birding.
Chicago Park District
Department of Natural Resources
February 2002