Walkway to nowhere (in a Cook County forest preserve)

[oz_il]

Talking about the scout camp youse all are going to detect had me remembering an aging walkway that was in the middle of nowhere and just goes in a circle. I imagine it may have been an old scout project? This is in some forest preserve in Palos Park, tried detecting around it found nada. There is also a bridge (crossing Mill Creek) but nothing but a little recent clad and a zillion pull tabs and bottle tops. There had to be something in the area at some time, no one just builds an elevated walkway (ground itself is elevated so I doubt there was ever a swamp there) in the middle of nowhere, do they

 

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[Kentucky Kache]

Looks like someone was expecting high water. Neat, whatever it was built for.

 

[General Zod]

Another idea would be made by BMXers or MTBers or motocross guys? lots of bike/mx stuff in that area for years.

 

[Lowbatts]

Isn't very old to be sure. Had a walkway in a nearby park out ot the river 90 years ago. Nothing remains except a few posts as guides. Found period goodies there including an old brooch/pin backing with 4 miner's diamonds in it. Jeweler id'ed the diamonds too!

Given you're finding modern trash there and so much of it remains it might be a good guess the walkway is fairly recent.

 

[oz_il]

I did ask a cook county biologist (only person I knew that worked for the CCFP) if he could find out anything about it but he couldn't. There is no easy access to it, but considering the county put in a bridge over mill creek years ago meant there had to be something in the area. Anyone have an idea where I could look up old cook county forest preserve photos?

A link to the general area:
Raised walkway area

Here's an overhead view:

 

[Lowbatts]

Which preserve is it in? If you can get an idea of where it is in relation to other landmarks, you can find thearea on the '39 aerial survays at the following link:
http://www.isgs.uiuc.edu/nsdihome/webdocs/ilhap/county/

 

[treasurefiend]

Whats weird is in the 1st pix, it has a pallet and they all look like the boards have tread on them. Cool find nun the less.

 

[oz_il]

Which preserve is it in? If you can get an idea of where it is in relation to other landmarks, you can find thearea on the '39 aerial survays at the following link:
http://www.isgs.uiuc.edu/nsdihome/webdocs/ilhap/county/

Thanks for the link! I have no idea what preserve it is in, there are no trails in the area, and I have to park in a Kean Ave lot, cross Rte 83 and follow Mill Creek to the Cal Sag. Like I said, out of the way and in late fall I'll have to try a bit of hiking to see if I see any other odds and ends to see.