CHICAGO — Illinois is known for its flatness, and Chicago, its density as the nation's third largest city.
So it might come as a surprise that Chicago is home to sand dunes.
Though not towering like those in Indiana or Michigan, the city has eight dune locations, according to the Chicago Park District.
A dune is formed when sand is blown by wind into a stable ridge. Though many plants have trouble rooting due to a lack of soil, native grasses and others do grow.
"The prevailing west-east wind direction makes Illinois dunes petite versions of our neighboring Indiana dunes, but no less interesting," according to the Park District.
Find dunes in the city at:
Montrose Beach
The Montrose Beach Dunes are found at the furthest east point of the beach. When wild plants began appearing in the 1990s, the Park District stopped grooming the area, and a fence was installed in 2001, the Park District said.
Volunteers control invasive plant species, and migratory birds use the dunes as a habitat.
The Montrose Beach Dunes were selected as a favorite urban oasis in the June/July issues of Nature Conservancy magazine.
The location of Montrose Beach Dunes [Chicago Park District]
63rd Street Beach
At the furthest east end of 63rd Street Beach, closest to the pier, is the triangle of Jackson Dune.
The dune developed because the area doesn't get as much traffic as more popular areas of the beach, as is often the case with Chicago's dunes.
"The prevalence of cocklebur was likely a further deterrent to sunbathers, and so gradually the area's natural character increased," according to the Park District.
The location of Jackson Dune [Chicago Park District]
Kathy Osterman Beach
The dunes at the beach between Ardmore Avenue and Hollywood Avenue occur on the west side.
Mowing and beach grooming were halted in 2000 as native plants developed, according to the Park District.
The location of the dune at Kathy Osterman Beach [Chicago Park District]
Loyola Park
The Loyola Dune Habitat at the south end of the beach is in the early stages of formation, according to the Park District.
A fence was installed in 2004, and further protection depends on funding.
The location of Loyola Dune Habitat [Chicago Park District]
Rainbow Beach
The Rainbow Dune Habitat is at the northeasternmost point of the beach, and the triangle thrives with native grasses.
The Park District said the seeds for native dune grasses may have traveled from Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
THe nonprofit Alliance for the Great Lakes aids in the protection of the habitat.
The location of Rainbow Dune Habitat [Chicago Park District]
Additional dune habitats, according to the Park District, are located at South Shore Beach, Foster Beach, and North Avenue Beach.
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