Acquisition of property in 1997 gave the Township its first 70 acre open space at a cost of $1,192,864. It was given Nature Preserve status in 2003 as a buffer to the existing Helms Wood Nature Preserve site directly to the north. The Township also acquired a thin strip of land on the south corner that connects this site to Route 68. This strip makes a perfect site for a future trail connection. Helm Prairie is leased to the Kane County Forest Preserve and is minimally managed at this time. A major trash pick-up is planned for the spring and grant application was made to remove drain tiles and plant prairie and trees next year. A parking lot and trails are in the works as well as signage.
