Knock knock
Who's there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad you stopped by this site?
Did you know that Cook County has an official flower? It's known as the Purple Coneflower and it is native to our area. The Chicago Botanic Garden has recently created a hybrid of this flower to make one that is salmon-colored.
What does the County do?
Cook County is a unit of government that represents 5.1 million people! The area includes Chicago and many suburbs — (137 municipalities outside the City of Chicago) Its primary responsibilities include operating our court system, the cook county jail, maintaining 68,000 acres of forest preserve and providing healthcare to those in financial need through four hospitals and 30 satellite clinics. Cook County has an annual budget of $3 billion.
More interesting facts: On August 10, 1833, one and one-half years after Cook County was created (Jan. 15, 1831), the frontier settlement of Fort Dearborn was incorporated as the town of Chicago. Did you know that Chicago gets its name from a powerful Chief of the Illinois Indians, named "Chicagou" (Che-cau-gou), meaning "Great"?
Cook County has:
- 10 golf courses
- 3 organized youth group cottage camping facilities
- 3 swimming pools
- 30 fishing centers and lakes
- 124 baseball fields
- 52 miles of trails for bicycle use only
- 5 winter sports areas
- 2,200 picnic areas and 190 picnic groves
- cross-country skiing through most of the preserves
- 6 tent camping sites
- 200 miles of trails for hikers and horseback riding
Nature Centers
Brookfield Zoo The Brookfield Zoo is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and operated by the Chicago Zoological Society. Enjoy a wild day at Chicago's Brookfield Zoo, 365 days a year. From an arid African grassland to steamy tropical rain forests, you'll take a journey through some of the most exotic landscapes on Earth, home to over 2300 animals representing more than 400 species.
Visit the Brookfield Zoo website for more information...
Chicago Botanic Garden Owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and operated by the Chicago Horticultural Society, the Chicago Botanic Garden, a 300-acre living museum, offers you the opportunity to experience more than 20 different gardens and absorb their unparalleled beauty. Whether it's the serenity of the Japanese Garden, the vibrant colors of the Rose Garden, or the romance of the English Walled Garden, the Chicago Botanic Garden offers insight into nature's plant-people partnership.
Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden website for more information...
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