sentences:  The park contains the southernmost remaining stand of native white pine trees in the state of Illinois, and that area, , was designated an Illinois Nature Preserve in 2001.The area was poised to become a state park in 1903, but a veto by Governor Richard Yates prevented that from occurring.Supporters continued to press for the White Pines Woods, as it was once known, to receive state park designation throughout the period 1903-1927.