I always wanted to live next to the woods and realized my dream when I moved into the area over 15 years ago. Thatcher Woods is 245 beautiful acres and is a combination of floodplain, forest, savanna and prairie, all set along the Des Plaines River. It is home to more than 250 native plant species, and some 50 bird species and wildlife. It is a popular destination for experienced birdwatchers, especially during the spring and fall migration.
By now, you have likely heard about the proposed O’Hare Flyer high-speed train that would run from O’Hare to downtown Chicago. The train would dissect the forest preserves through Thatcher Woods and the Des Plaines River, cutting through a tranquil, mature natural habitat. This project will not only destroy this natural habitat but also disrupt migration patterns by creating a deadly barrier. This project presents a myriad of safety and environmental issues for both humans and wildlife, including incessant noise, light, and vibration from a train that would pass through the area 144 times per day.
The years-long construction in the woods and 11 surrounding communities could be an environmental nightmare. The wildlife species are large in numbers and have flourished freely without disruption for two decades with no trains running. They cross over the train tracks 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year long. They’ve also been using these tracks as a passage from the woods into the neighborhoods as well, and the behavior is ingrained.
Though people have been speaking out against this project, there is one community that can’t speak for themselves — the wildlife in Thatcher Woods. If they could speak, they might say they don’t want this train in anyone’s backyard. The deer population here is especially dense versus other areas due to a positive environment and lack of predators. Deer are typically loners, but the ones in this area tend to move as a small herd. A speeding train could end up killing a group of deer together. Some of the bucks weigh nearly 300 pounds and would be a concern for possible train damage or derailment at high speed, endangering passengers, neighbors, and deer.
The O’Hare Flyer developer brags that trains will run every 15 minutes from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Add return trips, trains are running every 7.5 minutes. That’s eight trains per hour, 144 trains per day. The animals don’t stand a chance. Even with a few small tunnel underpasses, fences, and some visual and acoustic alarms the developer could add, the body count will be high.
To learn more, there is a Walk and Talk event being held Nov. 7 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Thatcher Woods Pavilion. Representatives from Chicago Bird Alliance, Chicago Ornithological Society and Bird Conservation Network will share their thoughts on the importance of Thatcher Woods for bird habitats, breeding populations, and the potential impacts of rail development. Representatives from the village of River Forest and candidates for local office will also join us.
Sources:
https://fpdcc.com/nature/a-tour-of-our-ecosystems
https://www.stoptheohareflyer.org/events/thatcher-woods-walk-and-talk-nov-7
Steve Metro is a River Forest resident.
