Wheaton Estate and Danada Forest Preserve
After Dan and Ada Rice passed away, their beloved Wheaton estate underwent a dramatic transition from private domain to public preserve – not without conflict and community action. This chapter of Danada’s story details how Danada Farm in Wheaton became the Danada Forest Preserve, and the ongoing developments on the property.
The Conflict and “Save the Rice Farm”: When Ada died in 1977, there was no will specifying the future of the Danada property. The land, held by the Rice Foundation, was effectively put up for sale to the highest bidder. Given Wheaton’s booming suburban growth in the late 1970s, developers eagerly envisioned subdivisions, shopping centers (indeed, parcels of Danada eventually became the Danada East & West Shopping Centers and Danada Farms residential subdivisions adjacent to the preserve, and corporate campuses. Alarmed at the prospect of losing a huge open space in their community, local citizens and conservationists mobilized quickly. They formed the Save the Rice Farm coalition in 1978, a grassroots effort that unified neighbors, equestrians, environmentalists, and history buffs under one goal: preserve Dan and Ada’s land as a public space.
This movement gained significant traction. Volunteers gathered thousands of petition signatures, wore “Save the Farm” buttons, and packed Forest Preserve District meetings. The media covered the struggle, with sympathetic pieces highlighting Danada’s historical and environmental value. A key argument was that Danada could form the linchpin of a “Butterfield green belt”, a continuous stretch of forest preserves through central DuPage County, an idea championed by Forest Preserve President Chuck Johnson and others. Danada’s forests and fields connected logically with existing preserves (Herrick Lake to the west, Belleau Woods to the north) and even the Morton Arboretum to the east.
Under public pressure, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County entered negotiations to buy the property from the Rice Foundation. In 1979, a deal was struck to acquire approximately 780 acres of the core estate for $21 million. (Some sources cite 764 acres at $21 million, the figure varies likely because the final tally of acres adjusted slightly, possibly rounding up with some later purchases to about 780 acres) In February 1980, the Forest Preserve District officially closed on the purchase, securing the land for the public. It was one of the largest and most expensive land acquisitions in the district’s history at that time, but it likely saved taxpayers in the long run by avoiding high-density development costs.
The victory wasn’t immediate; there were legal hurdles and financing to arrange (the District issued bonds to finance the purchase). But the success of Save the Rice Farm was sealed, and in gratitude and ongoing purpose, the volunteers incorporated as the Friends of Danada in 1986 to help take care of the estate and promote its use.
Forest Preserve Development: The Forest Preserve District wasted little time repurposing Danada for recreation and education:
- In 1983, they opened a small Danada “Learn to Ride” Stable, which evolved into today’s Danada Equestrian Center. Initially offering basic riding lessons and trail rides, it has since expanded (see Danada Equestrian Center section). Importantly, the Equestrian Center preserved the equine heritage – the very barns and track where Ada’s racehorses once trod were now serving new riders.
- The Danada House mansion, which had fallen into some disrepair after years of vacancy, was restored with the help of Friends of Danada volunteers and opened in 1987 as a rental and program facility. Today, it’s a popular venue and mini-museum.
- The surrounding acreage was cleaned up: paddocks and fencing repaired, overgrown gardens rejuvenated, and trails mowed. The half-mile turf racetrack was retained as an open space feature (occasionally used for carriage rides and such).
- Agricultural fields on the property were maintained. Friends of Danada began farming about 40 acres as the Danada Model Farm in the early 1990s. The rest of the land was managed for natural habitat or leased for crop farming until restoration could be done.
- Over time, prairies were seeded in former corn fields, woodlands were allowed to regenerate, and wetland areas were preserved. The result is a patchwork of ecosystems: prairie wildflowers, oak savannas, and marshes now occupy areas where thoroughbreds once galloped.
By the late 1980s, the Danada Forest Preserve was fully established. It is named after Dan and Ada (the portmanteau name conveniently doubling as a tribute and a place-name). The preserve’s trails became popular for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. Picnic areas and trailheads were added off Naperville Road and Butterfield Road. A large lake (Rice Lake) on the property offers catch-and-release fishing.
Wheaton St. James Farm connection: A few miles south, another estate (St. James Farm) was later preserved in 2006, creating a corridor of open land. Danada now is part of a network of preserves that encircle Wheaton and Naperville, fulfilling the “green belt” vision planners had.
Danada East Acquisition (2024): A very recent development in Danada’s story came in November 2024, when the Forest Preserve District finalized the purchase of an additional 35 acres on Danada’s east side, connecting Danada with the Morton Arboretum. This parcel, long on the District’s priority list, had been a former horse boarding farm known as “Danada East” (just east of Naperville Road). Its acquisition for $12 million expands Danada Forest Preserve to about 797 acres total. More importantly, it creates a contiguous natural corridor between Danada and the Arboretum, benefitting wildlife movement and habitat connectivity in this highly developed region. Forest Preserve officials hailed this as a victory for conservation, noting it protects floodplain and wetland and satisfies public calls for more open space. The land will likely be restored and possibly opened for limited trail use, further enhancing Danada’s offerings.
Today’s: The preserve is open daily from one hour after sunrise to one hour after sunset. Visitors can engage in a variety of activities:
- Horseback Riding: Besides lessons at the Equestrian Center, permit holders can bring their own horses to ride on designated equestrian trails that loop through the preserve.
- Hiking and Biking: A network of limestone and mowed grass trails meander through Danada, linking to the Illinois Prairie Path and adjacent preserves. It’s common to see joggers and families on bikes enjoying the scenery.
- Wildlife Watching: Danada’s mix of habitats supports deer, foxes, coyotes, herons, and countless songbirds. Birders come hoping to spot great blue herons in the marsh or hawks hunting over the fields. In spring, Parson’s Grove in the southeast corner blooms with trilliums and geraniums.
- Fishing: Rice Lake, near the Butterfield Road entrance, is stocked for catch-and-release fishing. It’s a peaceful spot named indirectly for the Rices.
- Educational Programs: Beyond Friends of Danada’s offerings, the Forest Preserve’s rangers hold nature programs at Danada (like night hikes, summer camps, etc.). Danada House also hosts history tours and the occasional lecture or art show year-round.
- Special Events: The Fall Festival, as detailed earlier, remains the showcase event each October (except interruptions as noted). Danada House also hosts the Nature Art & Photo Exhibit annually and is open for public tours during certain open house days (like around Kentucky Derby time, they might display Lucky Debonair’s memorabilia).
The Friends of Danada continue to complement the Forest Preserve’s work, as described in their section. They ensure that Danada’s past is remembered even as the preserve moves into the future.
One measure of how ingrained Danada Forest Preserve is in the community: the surrounding area, once empty, now has a Danada Square shopping center, Danada Farms apartments, and roads like Danada Drive, all named after the Rices’ estate. Yet, thanks to the foresight of preservation, the heart of Danada remains green and vibrant.
As the Daily Herald noted in a retrospective, “thanks to the heroic efforts of the Forest Preserve and activists, 780 acres of the property were preserved for the good of all”. What could have become yet another sprawl of homes is instead a place where one can still sense the grandeur of the Rices’ country life – from the thundering hooves of horses long past to the quiet rustle of prairie grasses in the breeze.
Wheaton Estate Summary: To encapsulate, the Wheaton Danada estate’s journey:
- 1929–1975: Rice private ownership and development (farm, mansion, stables).
- 1977–1980: Uncertainty and attempted sale, then landmark public purchase.
- 1980s: Conversion to public use (preserve established, facilities adapted).
- 1986: Friends of Danada formalized to assist the preserve.
- Present: A thriving forest preserve that balances historic preservation, recreation, and natural restoration.
It stands as one of DuPage County’s most popular preserves, valued both for its amenities and its unique history. Dan and Ada Rice likely never imagined their farm would one day host thousands of visitors and school children, but it’s a safe bet they would be pleased. As Ada once did by inviting the community to charity events on her grounds, now Danada invites the public every day to enjoy the beauty of what the Rices built.
