Spring Creek Preserve
Directions |
The Spring Creek Preserve is located on the east side of Highway 116 just off
the north end of East Peoria (see above map). Note the new parking lot
just off Spring Creek Road.
Spring Creek
Preserve - Downloadable Trail Map
eBird
Birding Hotspot Map |
Description |
The
Fondulac
Park District’s Spring Creek Preserve consists of 262 acres of wooded
bluffs, bottomland, and old farm fields and is managed as a natural area with
hiking trails. The preserve is home to many species of birds, animals,
butterflies, trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Access is from Spring Creek Road.
The parking lot is about 0.2 miles east of the intersection with Highway 116.
The park is rather new and is still under development, but a number of hiking
trails are now mowed and maintained and are accessible from the parking lot. The
trails are marked with signs.
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The Old Fields Loop is a
gentle walk of about 2 miles. It goes around the edges of the three old farm
fields in the bottomland, and then returns to the starting point.
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The Woodland Loop makes a
moderate climb through oak and maple woods to the top of the north bluff,
which is about 200 feet higher than the parking lot. The trail continues
eastward along the bluff top and then descends along a ridge to the
bottomland again, eventually coming out on the Old Fields Loop. It is about
1.5 miles in length.
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The North Bluff Trail climbs
the bluff more steeply than the Woodland Loop but offers nice views to the
north as it traverses the bluff. It links up with the Woodland Loop after
about 0.5 miles.
No footbridges are yet in place, but stream crossings are dry much of the
year. |
Commonly Seen Birds |
Spring/Fall -- Warblers and other woodland spring migrants.
Summer -- Various woodland species.
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Hiking and Birding the Spring Creek
Preserve
Creek in Spring Creek Preserve
Birding while Hiking the Spring Creek
Preserve
Creek in the Spring Creek Preserve
Trails May Cross Creek in Places
(Usually Dry)
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