Slope Flying – Chicago Style!

Slope flying in Chicago? Yep, thanks to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County access to the Greene Valley Hill is available on weekends with a valid permit from the Preserve Office call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 for more info.

From the Forest Preserve website:

The 190-foot Greene Valley hill is open to the public on weekends from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., spring through fall. A road leads from the base of the hill to a parking lot at the top, where visitors can get a bird’s-eye view of DuPage County as well as the Chicago skyline. Revenue generated from Greene Valley disposal operations, which ended in 1996, covered construction costs.

The introduction of native grasses and shrubs on the hillside will combine conservational and recreational objectives, attracting native songbirds and wildlife while providing visual relief for preserve passersby.

Model glider and sail-plane owners with valid District permits can fly their crafts from the hill. For permit information, call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248.

Location: About half a mile south of 75th Street and Greene Road in Naperville, IL.
The website http://www.dupageforest.com/Conservation/Forest_Preserves/Greene_Valley.aspx provides directions and a map.

Best wind direction(s):

• South is optimal but it is flyable with winds ranging from SE to SW.
• Easterly winds are probably next best.
• Northerly winds are also flyable.
• West winds are unusable.

Time available: Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00AM to 6:00PM

Access restrictions: Requires a DuPage County model airplane permit which can be obtained through the mail or in person at the address given on the application form:

http://www.dupageforest.com/recreation/annualmodelair.pdf

Until there’s a frequency control board, flyers need to check in with the ranger at the top of the hill and provide frequency information.

Related Links

Greene Valley Slope Site – http://www.dupageforest.com/Conservation/Forest_Preserves/Greene_Valley.aspx