Nestled in the midst of the bustling suburb of Wheaton, Danada Forest Preserve offers a peaceful respite, interrupted only by an occasional whinny of a horse. Once a private estate owned by Dan and Ada Rice, the 783-acre preserve is home to the esteemed Danada Equestrian Center, which offers an array of equestrian programs from riding classes to horsemanship clinics.
Multi-purpose trails totaling nearly three miles wind through prairie, woodland and marsh, providing a scenic backdrop for hikers, joggers, bicyclists, equestrians and, in winter, cross-country skiers.
Danada Equestrian Center
The Danada Equestrian Center has provided an educational and recreational equestrian experience for DuPage County residents since its establishment in 1983. Programs offered by the Center are designed to give participants a holistic approach to horses and their daily care, and to teach basic riding skills. The Center is open daily, 9 a.m - 5 p.m. For information, visit:
http://www.dupageforest.com/EDUCATION/danada.html
Outdoor Recreation
Trails - There are nearly three miles of multi-purpose trails at Danada, located east and west of Naperville Road. The Regional Trail passes through Danada leading west to adjacent Herrick Lake and Blackwell forest preserves. Cross-country skiers are invited to share the trails, although they must break their own paths. Horseback riders are also welcome and are asked to restrain their mounts when riding through woods or around sharp corners to avoid confronting less-visible trail users. Horse trailers may park in the main parking lot.
Fishing - The 40-acre Rice Lake, located south of Butterfield Road and east of Naperville Road, was developed in conjunction with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority during construction of Interstate 355. The maximum depth is 20 feet, and depending on flooding and drought conditions, the water level can fluctuate as much as six feet. Fisheries management of this valuable flood control area includes stocking. Parking is available in the main parking lot.
Danada House
The 19-room estate house, formerly the home of Dan and Ada Rice, is available for formal receptions, meetings, showers, parties and other catered functions. Managed by the Friends of Danada, the Danada House is surrounded by formal gardens extending into the forest preserve. The dining room, library, living room, porch, solarium and kitchen offer accommodations for up to 150 people. A tent is erected outside the house on the Danada grounds for accommodations of more than 150 people. Ample parking is available. For rental information, call the Friends of Danada at (630) 668-5392.
Click here for more information about the Danada House.
Danada Model Farm
On the southwest corner of Naperville and Butterfield Road lies this 1950s style farm. Operated by the Danada Model Farm volunteers, the farm preserves the agricultural history of DuPage County through 1950s farm machinery and agricultural practices. The volunteer group, formed under the auspices of the Friends of Danada, assists with District events at Danada by providing hay rides and tours of the farm. For more information, call the Danada House at (630) 668-5392.
Danada Preserve History
Danada is the former home of Daniel and Ada L. Rice, who purchased the property in 1929. In 1939, construction began on the 19-room mansion, greenhouse, storage sheds, employee boarding house, swimming pool and formal gardens of peonies and roses.
The 1,350-acre working farm was blanketed with an apple orchard, crops of wheat and corn, and livestock. It was the thoroughbred racehorses, though, that won the pride of the Rice's.
In the mid-1940s, the Rice's added the 26-stall Kentucky-style barn, located on the east side of the preserve. A 1/2-mile oval race track was constructed west of Naperville Road.
In 1949, the Rice's entered their first horse in the Kentucky Derby. But it wasn't until 1965 that another of their horses, Lucky Debonair, crossed the finish line with the third-fasted time in the history of the race. It was the third Derby win for Jockey Willie Shoemaker. In 1966, another Danada horse named Abdicator took second place at the Kentucky Derby.
five star hotel in ThiraBy the early 1970s, the Rices had sold their horse racing interests. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County purchased 764 acres of the property in 1980. Additional acreage was purchased in 1981, bringing the total to 783.
Danada Natural History
The rolling terrain that greets the eye at Danada Forest Preserve was created nearly 10,000 years ago from the retreating ice glaciers. Today, the wetlands, woodlands and prairies created on this terrain are home to a host of plant and animal life.
In the area west of Naperville Road, you will find a large wetland complex interspersed with wooded savanna and fields. While the natural prairie is gone, a 35-acre region has been the target of intensive restoration efforts that have yielded a healthy, restored native prairie ecosystem. This ecosystem complex attracts a variety of wildlife, including waterfowl, herons and grassland birds. The area also attracts deer, foxes and even coyotes as a suitable feeding and hunting ground.
Behind the main barn area informally called Parson's Grove lies the double-looped nature trail through a wooded oak savanna. Many native wildflowers bloom in this area, including bloodroot, wild geranium and trout lily, thanks in part to volunteer restoration efforts.
