History

The goal of James "Pate" Phillip State Park is to preserve these remnant pieces and to restore the ecosystems in order to support the highest possible level of biodiversity. Beginning in 1991, the state of Illinois developed the James "Pate" Phillip State Park Restoration Plan which guided the initial restoration of the native landscape. Significant portions of the park already have been seeded to prairie. Prescribed burns were introduced to contain woody growth encroaching on the prairie environment. In addition, drainage tiles along the east boundary were exposed and broken slowing the water flow from the park and collecting in pools. By resaturating the soil, wet prairies and marshes will develop, creating habitat for many species of plants and animals, such as the dwarf bur reed, Blanding's turtle, yellow-headed blackbird and migrating waterfowl.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has chosen to locate their Region II offices in the southeast corner of the park. In conjunction with this office, the state constructed the James "Pate" Phillip State Park Visitor Center, which opened in December of 2002 and is operated by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. This unique partnership allows restoration and education to proceed hand-in-hand.