Popular on Patch: A History of Tobogganing in Bemis Woods

As early as the 1930s, area residents were enjoying their winters on toboggans in nearby Bemis Woods. But, that all changed in 2007.

A History of Tobogganing in Bemis Woods

As early as the 1930s, area residents were enjoying their winters on toboggans in nearby Bemis Woods. But, that all changed in 2007.

In the 1930’s, the federal government established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This was an effort to put unemployed young men to work, usually doing public works projects in parks, on highways, and in forest preserves. One such CCC camp was located in the Bemis Woods, directly north of Ogden & Howard Avenues. The 200 young men assigned to the camp devoted most of their time to planting trees, building bridle paths (now used for bikes), and constructing small bridges, dams, and shelter houses. But, they also found time to build a wonderful toboggan slide in the Bemis Woods, a little northwest of Ogden & Woodland Avenues.  See second photo. The slide facilities were improved somewhat over the years. They eventually consisted of a …

•  21 Comments
• Photos (8)

Erik Bloecks

9:57 am on Saturday, February 16, 2013

I have good memories going to Bemis as child. I also recall having an aching backside after several runs down the chute, but which ended the next year because my mother made a pad for the toboggan. It is shame they had to close it down. I feel bad for the children today who can not experience the fun the we had there.   more ›