After decades of trying, DuPage acquires horse farm link to Morton Arboretum

DuPage County Forest Preserve District officials finally acquired a long-sought, 34.9-acre horse farm in unincorporated Wheaton that the district viewed as a keystone parcel between the 797-acre Danada Forest Preserve and the 1,700-acre Morton Arboretum.

The district closed on its $12 million acquisition of the Gladstone Ridge horse farm, at 3S325 Leask Lane on Nov. 26 after decades of attempts at acquiring it from the Bolger family, which had owned the land since 1966.

The district hasn’t yet decided how specifically it will use the property, which is bordered by the Danada Forest Preserve on its north and west sides, the Morton Arboretum and the Sherwood Estates subdivision on its south side, and the Briarcliffe South subdivision on its east side. Thus far, the district’s lone commitment is to demolish all structures on the property, including a 4,480-square-foot ranch-style home that was built in 1955.

District spokeswoman Beth Schirott said immediate plans also call for the removal of any pavement such as driveways as well as “the placement of a commemorative boulder to honor the Bolger family.”

“There is existing parking at Danada that can be used to access the site,” she said. “Over the next several years, the district will be updating several individual forest preserve master plans, including the plan for Danada. Public input will play a vital role in shaping these plans and could help identify additional uses for the property, such as trails or gathering areas.”

Schirott said the district does not presently anticipate a trail connection with the arboretum, as the arboretum operates as a membership-based organization. However, she added that the district has not yet had any discussions with the arboretum about such a connection.

But that won’t stop plants and animals from taking advantage of the connection.

“The acquisition is a significant step in enhancing connectivity within our preserve system and contributes to wildlife corridors, ecosystem health and biodiversity,” Schirott stated. “We’re excited about the possibilities and look forward to engaging the community as we plan for the future of this valuable space.”

In a statement, Daniel Hebreard, the Forest Preserve District’s president, hailed the purchase, stating it “reflects our community’s values and commitment to conservation.”

“Thanks to the public’s trust and support, we can ensure this land stays protected and accessible for future generations while connecting two of DuPage County’s most beloved natural areas.”

In a statement, Morton Arboretum vice president of marketing and guest experience Alicia LaVire said that the arboretum “is pleased that the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has secured this critical corridor for conservation and wildlife.”

The Gladstone Ridge property has something of a colorful past. In 1952, paper and printing executive Raymond P. Fischer, who was the grandson of Wheaton College founder Jonathan Blanchard, sold the land to union official Eugene C. James, who the Tribune reported in 1961 had been a protege of famed labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa. In 1955, James and his wife, Eleanore, built the house that stands on the farm but only lived there a short while, as James was convicted of embezzling $900,000 in union welfare fund premiums and served nine months in a New Jersey prison before being released for health reasons.

After James’ death in 1961, his widow sold the property — then known as Greengate Farms — and it was owned for several years by Carol Stream town founder Jay Stream before Vincent and Helen Bolger bought it from Stream in November 1966 as their residence.

The Bolgers considered developing the land on several occasions. In 1976, the couple proposed annexing the land to Wheaton and seeking approval for up to 280 units. That project fell through, but the couple continued informally floating relatively dense developments for the farm.

In 1987, the Tribune reported the farm had appeared on a wish list of $100 million worth of land acquisitions drawn up by the Forest Preserve District, raising concerns by the Bolger family and equestrians who were boarding their horses on the property. Then, in 1998, district commissioners voted on their intent to negotiate the land, prompting an aggressive public relations campaign by the family, complete with a website, and the slogan “Save the Bolger Home” on signs, buttons and pencils. A Forest Preserve District committee initially threatened to begin condemnation proceedings on the property, but in March 1999, district officials abruptly dropped plans to acquire the land.

Helen Bolger died in 2006, and Vincent Bolger died in 2008. In 2022, the Bolgers’ children began seeking bids to develop the land from local homebuilders. That prompted the Forest Preserve District in 2022 to once again vote to start negotiations to buy the farm. Those efforts stalled over the price, sparking a 2023 lawsuit filed by the Bolger family alleging the district’s vote could potentially limit offers from private developers for the farm. Soon after the lawsuit was filed, the district rescinded its resolution to attempt to acquire the land, and the Bolger children dropped their lawsuit.

Earlier this year, the two sides resumed talks, and finally agreed on the $12 million price.

Gladstone Ridge easily had been the last remaining privately owned estate of any size in or near Wheaton. And the district’s acquisition of Gladstone Ridge is the second time in the last three years that an institution has acquired a good-sized tract on the east side of Leask Lane in unincorporated Wheaton. In 2022, the Morton Arboretum paid $5.1 million to buy the 18-acre Stahelin property at 3S675 Leask, which had been bordered on three sides by the arboretum. Since that time, the arboretum has removed all buildings on that property.

Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.