Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area
Encyclopedia
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area is an Illinois state park on 1350 acres (5.46 km²) in Kendall County
, Illinois
, United States
. The park was established in the late 1960s and is named for the natural spring within its boundaries. The park has two artificial lakes and the Fox River
flows through the northern end of the park. Silver Springs hosts a variety of activities including fishing, hunting, boating and hiking. The park has areas of native prairie restoration
, a sledding hill and a seven mile (11 km) equestrian trail. The prairie restoration areas hold many species of plants including lead plant, and purple coneflower.
valley near Silver Springs was populated by indigenous people near the end of the last Ice Age
, 10–14,000 years ago. The original 1250 acres (5.06 km²) tract of land that became Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area was purchased by the state of Illinois
in 1969, and has been open since January of that year. The park is located in Kendall County
, Illinois
, five miles (8 km) west of the city of Yorkville
. Since the original acquisition in 1969, 100 acre (0.404686 km²) have been added to the park
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area was one of five new state parks opened in northern Illinois from 1969–1971. As part of more than 20000 acres (80.94 km²) added to the Illinois state park
system during this period, Silver Springs opened to alleviate traffic at other state parks in the area. At the time, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
(IDNR), which oversees the state park system, was attempting to provide the Chicago area with the most state park facilities in Illinois.
The park had nine extant well
s tapping the Galena–Platteville Aquifer when the state purchased the property. By 1973 a modern well was drilled, reaching a depth of 120 feet (36.6 m). The well, located near the park entrance, was drilled by K & K Well Drilling Co. of Mokena, Illinois
through black dirt, gravel
, clay
, and limestone
. Upon completion, the well produced about 500 gallons (1,892 l
) per day during the summer. The well provides the park with water, but the other nine wells remained in use following its completion.
A prairie restoration
project began on 30 acre (0.1214058 km²) within Silver Springs in 1980; 15 acre (0.0607029 km²) was added to the restoration project in 1991. The IDNR undertook another prairie restoration in an area within the park, on the north side of the Fox River, in 2002. For the 2002 project, the IDNR removed numerous invasive species
from the area including: basswood, ash
, maple
, and exotic honeysuckle
. The non-native exotic honeysuckle species had thrived in the absence of fire through human intervention. These actions were meant to allow native burr
and black oak
, and shagbark hickory
a chance to reproduce.
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area covers 1350 acres (5.46 km²) and includes four distinct bodies of water, two artificial lakes, the Fox River
, and Silver Springs. The larger of the two lakes, Loon Lake, covers 21 acre (0.08498406 km²) and has 0.9 miles (1.4 km) of shoreline. Loon Lake's maximum depth is 20 feet (6.1 m) and it has an average depth of 11.8 feet (3.6 m). Loon Lake, sometimes known as Silver Spring Lake, was constructed in 1960 when a lowland area was excavated. The lake's water level is maintained through a small 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) watershed and groundwater seepage. Water quality at Loon Lake was identified as "good" in 1996 by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
. Beaver Lake, north of Loon Lake, is smaller, covering 4.5 acre (0.01821087 km²). It has almost a half mile (0.8 km) of shoreline and a maximum depth of 14 feet (4.3 m); Beaver Lake's average depth is 8 feet (2.4 m).
The park's name comes from a natural spring located along a trail on the south end of the park. The spring's name is derived from the effect of sunlight on its surface, which makes the pool appear to shimmer like silver
. Even through the winter, the bubbling spring never freezes, and plants often poke through snow surrounding the watercress
-bordered pool in the coldest months. Three miles of the Fox River, which Silver Springs empties into, flows through the park's north end.
Plant species native to Illinois prairies prior to European settlement are found within the park's 45 acre (0.1821087 km²) prairie restoration. While the plant life varies by season, species observed in the park include: lead plant, purple coneflower, wild bergamot, and purple prairie clover
, black-eyed susan
, tall coreopsis
, compass plant, wild quinine
, rattlesnake master
, New Jersey tea
, big bluestem
, switch grass, and Indian grass. Along the park's four mile (6 km) trail, several species of trees are found. Six species of oak
, three species of ash, and basswood, cottonwood, pawpaw
, Kentucky coffeetree
and hackberry are among the tree species living within the boundaries of Silver Springs.
The Fox River at Silver Springs has numerous species of freshwater fish including, bluegill
, crappie
, channel catfish
, bullhead
, carp
, muskie
and northern pike
. The Loon and Beaver Lake fish population is maintained through human stocking. Channel catfish, bass, bluegill and crappie are stocked in both lakes.
Besides its prairie restorations and bodies of water, Silver Springs has areas of deciduous forests, and wetland
s, both of which are populated with species of mammals, birds and insects. Bird life observed in the park includes: Osprey
, Great Horned Owl
, Eastern Screech Owl
and Long-eared Owl
; Bald Eagle
have been sighted further upstream along the Fox. Reptiles and amphibians are present in the park but are more elusive than other types of animal life.
When in season, hunting and fishing are two of the park's primary activities; during the fall and winter over 1300 acres (5.26 km²) are opened to the public for hunting. Pheasant
hunting, through a park operated controlled hunting program, is popular at the park. Dove hunting, squirrel hunting, and bow hunting for deer are also permitted with some restrictions. The park has areas set aside for trap shooting
, and archery
, participants are required to bring their own equipment and restrictions apply. For anglers, Loon Lake is stocked in the spring and fall with rainbow trout
and a small one-half acre pond to the east of the lake is stocked annually for children during the National Hunting and Fishing Days, which is marked yearly by events at Silver Springs. The Fox River is open for fishing from both the bank and boats. There are no motor restrictions and a boat launch is available at the park. The Fox River is shallow near the park and boaters are advised to use caution.
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area has trails for hiking
and horseback riding. A short, half mile (0.8 km) trail leads to Silver Springs near the park's east entrance. A longer, four mile (6.4 km) trail follows the course of the Fox River through the park's wooded areas. The equestrian
trail is located in the wildlife management area of the park and stretches seven miles (11 km). A one mile (1.6 km) path travels through the prairie restoration area as well. During the winter, much of the park's trail system is open to cross-country skiing
, and a four mile (6 km) trail is open to snowmobiling, weather permitting. When ice thickness permits, the lakes are opened to ice skating
and ice fishing
. Sledding
is another popular activity; Toboggan Hill is located inside the park's east entrance.
Kendall County, Illinois
Kendall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 114,736, which is an increase of 110% from 54,544 in 2000. It was the fastest-growing county in the United States between the years 2000 and...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The park was established in the late 1960s and is named for the natural spring within its boundaries. The park has two artificial lakes and the Fox River
Fox River (Illinois River tributary)
The Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. There are two other "Fox Rivers" in southern Illinois: the Fox River and a smaller "Fox River" that joins the Wabash River near New Harmony, Indiana.-Wisconsin:The Fox River rises near...
flows through the northern end of the park. Silver Springs hosts a variety of activities including fishing, hunting, boating and hiking. The park has areas of native prairie restoration
Prairie Restoration
Prairie restoration is an ecologically friendly way to restore some of the prairie land that was lost to industry, farming and commerce. For example, the U.S...
, a sledding hill and a seven mile (11 km) equestrian trail. The prairie restoration areas hold many species of plants including lead plant, and purple coneflower.
Location
The Park is actually divided by the Fox River, with the northern area situated next to the Farnsworth House, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The property that Mrs. Farnsworth bought actually frames part of the western side of the Park. One of the main access points to the park, a bridge that takes Fox River Drive (Ben Street in Plano), over the river, and to an adjoining road that runs past the entrance to the park. In the 1960s when the current bridge was being constructed, Mrs. Farnsworth actually appealed to the Kendall County Board, suggesting a block to the bridge, citing ecological concerns among other things.History
There is evidence that the Fox RiverFox River (Illinois River tributary)
The Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. There are two other "Fox Rivers" in southern Illinois: the Fox River and a smaller "Fox River" that joins the Wabash River near New Harmony, Indiana.-Wisconsin:The Fox River rises near...
valley near Silver Springs was populated by indigenous people near the end of the last Ice Age
Ice age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
, 10–14,000 years ago. The original 1250 acres (5.06 km²) tract of land that became Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area was purchased by the state of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
in 1969, and has been open since January of that year. The park is located in Kendall County
Kendall County, Illinois
Kendall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 114,736, which is an increase of 110% from 54,544 in 2000. It was the fastest-growing county in the United States between the years 2000 and...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, five miles (8 km) west of the city of Yorkville
Yorkville, Illinois
Yorkville is a city located in Kendall County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,189 at the 2000 United States Census and is estimated to be 16,505, . It is the county seat of Kendall County...
. Since the original acquisition in 1969, 100 acre (0.404686 km²) have been added to the park
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area was one of five new state parks opened in northern Illinois from 1969–1971. As part of more than 20000 acres (80.94 km²) added to the Illinois state park
Illinois state parks
The Illinois state park system began in 1908 with what is now Fort Massac State Park becoming the first park in a system encompassing over 60 parks and about the same number of recreational and wildlife areas....
system during this period, Silver Springs opened to alleviate traffic at other state parks in the area. At the time, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is a cabinet-level department of the state government of Illinois. It is headquartered in the state capital of Springfield...
(IDNR), which oversees the state park system, was attempting to provide the Chicago area with the most state park facilities in Illinois.
The park had nine extant well
Water well
A water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling to access groundwater in underground aquifers. The well water is drawn by an electric submersible pump, a trash pump, a vertical turbine pump, a handpump or a mechanical pump...
s tapping the Galena–Platteville Aquifer when the state purchased the property. By 1973 a modern well was drilled, reaching a depth of 120 feet (36.6 m). The well, located near the park entrance, was drilled by K & K Well Drilling Co. of Mokena, Illinois
Mokena, Illinois
Mokena is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States. The population was 14,583 at the 2000 census, with a special census conducted in 2007. The 2007 census showed that the population of the village increased to 18,669 people residing within the corporate limits...
through black dirt, gravel
Gravel
Gravel is composed of unconsolidated rock fragments that have a general particle size range and include size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments. Gravel can be sub-categorized into granule and cobble...
, clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
, and limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
. Upon completion, the well produced about 500 gallons (1,892 l
Litér
- External links :*...
) per day during the summer. The well provides the park with water, but the other nine wells remained in use following its completion.
A prairie restoration
Prairie Restoration
Prairie restoration is an ecologically friendly way to restore some of the prairie land that was lost to industry, farming and commerce. For example, the U.S...
project began on 30 acre (0.1214058 km²) within Silver Springs in 1980; 15 acre (0.0607029 km²) was added to the restoration project in 1991. The IDNR undertook another prairie restoration in an area within the park, on the north side of the Fox River, in 2002. For the 2002 project, the IDNR removed numerous invasive species
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
from the area including: basswood, ash
Ash tree
Fraxinus is a genus flowering plants in the olive and lilac family, Oleaceae. It contains 45-65 species of usually medium to large trees, mostly deciduous though a few subtropical species are evergreen. The tree's common English name, ash, goes back to the Old English æsc, while the generic name...
, maple
Maple
Acer is a genus of trees or shrubs commonly known as maple.Maples are variously classified in a family of their own, the Aceraceae, or together with the Hippocastanaceae included in the family Sapindaceae. Modern classifications, including the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system, favour inclusion in...
, and exotic honeysuckle
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckles are arching shrubs or twining vines in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to the Northern Hemisphere. There are about 180 species of honeysuckle, 100 of which occur in China; Europe, India and North America have only about 20 native species each...
. The non-native exotic honeysuckle species had thrived in the absence of fire through human intervention. These actions were meant to allow native burr
Burr Oak
Burr Oak is a variant spelling of Bur oak . The term can refer to some places in the United States:*Burr Oak, Indiana*Burr Oak, Iowa*Burr Oak, Kansas*Burr Oak, Michigan*Burr Oak Township, Michigan*Burr Oak, Missouri...
and black oak
Black oak
Quercus velutina, the eastern black oak or more commonly known as simply black oak, is an oak in the red oak group of oaks. It is native to eastern North America from southern Ontario south to northern Florida and southern Maine west to northeastern Texas...
, and shagbark hickory
Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata, the Shagbark Hickory, is a common hickory in the eastern United States and southeast Canada. It is a large deciduous tree, growing up to 27 m tall, and will live up to 200 years. Mature Shagbarks are easy to recognize because, as their name implies, they have shaggy bark...
a chance to reproduce.
Bodies of water
Fox River (Illinois River tributary)
The Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. There are two other "Fox Rivers" in southern Illinois: the Fox River and a smaller "Fox River" that joins the Wabash River near New Harmony, Indiana.-Wisconsin:The Fox River rises near...
, and Silver Springs. The larger of the two lakes, Loon Lake, covers 21 acre (0.08498406 km²) and has 0.9 miles (1.4 km) of shoreline. Loon Lake's maximum depth is 20 feet (6.1 m) and it has an average depth of 11.8 feet (3.6 m). Loon Lake, sometimes known as Silver Spring Lake, was constructed in 1960 when a lowland area was excavated. The lake's water level is maintained through a small 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) watershed and groundwater seepage. Water quality at Loon Lake was identified as "good" in 1996 by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency of the state of Illinois is the primary body concerned with the protection of the environment for the state...
. Beaver Lake, north of Loon Lake, is smaller, covering 4.5 acre (0.01821087 km²). It has almost a half mile (0.8 km) of shoreline and a maximum depth of 14 feet (4.3 m); Beaver Lake's average depth is 8 feet (2.4 m).
The park's name comes from a natural spring located along a trail on the south end of the park. The spring's name is derived from the effect of sunlight on its surface, which makes the pool appear to shimmer like silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
. Even through the winter, the bubbling spring never freezes, and plants often poke through snow surrounding the watercress
Watercress
Watercresses are fast-growing, aquatic or semi-aquatic, perennial plants native from Europe to central Asia, and one of the oldest known leaf vegetables consumed by human beings...
-bordered pool in the coldest months. Three miles of the Fox River, which Silver Springs empties into, flows through the park's north end.
Wildlife
Dalea
Dalea is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae. Members of the genus are commonly known as prairie clover or indigo bush. Its name honours English apothecary Samuel Dale .-Species:-Formerly placed here:...
, black-eyed susan
Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan may refer to one of several things:Flowers* Rudbeckia hirta, a member of the sunflower tribe of the large family Asteraceae* A number of other members of the genus Rudbeckia* Hibiscus trionum in the family Malvaceae...
, tall coreopsis
Tickseed
Coreopsis is a genus of herbs in the family Asteraceae. This group of plants is related to sunflower. The plants may be from one and a half feet to four feet high. The flat fruits are small and dry and look like bugs. Many of its 35 to 114 species are cultivated...
, compass plant, wild quinine
Parthenium
Parthenium is a genus of flowering plants in the aster family, Asteraceae. The name is derived from either the Greek word παρθένος , meaning "virgin," or παρθένιον , an ancient name for a plant. Members of the genus are commonly known as feverfew. Notable species include Guayule and P...
, rattlesnake master
Eryngium yuccifolium
Eryngium yuccifolium is a common herbaceous perennial plant, native to the tallgrass prairies of central and eastern North America, from Minnesota east to Ohio and south to Texas and Florida. In the Chicago Region this species has a coefficient of conservatism of 9...
, New Jersey tea
Ceanothus
Ceanothus L. is a genus of about 50–60 species of shrubs or small trees in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae. The genus is confined to North America, the center of its distribution in California, with some species in the eastern United States and southeast Canada, and others extending as far south...
, big bluestem
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii, known also as Big bluestem, Turkey foot, Prairie tallgrass, or simply Tallgrass, is a tall grass native to much of the Great Plains and Prairie regions of central North America- Description :...
, switch grass, and Indian grass. Along the park's four mile (6 km) trail, several species of trees are found. Six species of oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
, three species of ash, and basswood, cottonwood, pawpaw
Asimina triloba
Asimina triloba, the pawpaw, paw paw, paw-paw, or common pawpaw, is a species of Asimina in the same plant family as the custard-apple, cherimoya, sweetsop, ylang-ylang and soursop...
, Kentucky coffeetree
Kentucky coffeetree
The Kentucky Coffeetree, Gymnocladus dioicus, is a tree in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the pea family Fabaceae, native to the midwest of North America.-Introduction:...
and hackberry are among the tree species living within the boundaries of Silver Springs.
The Fox River at Silver Springs has numerous species of freshwater fish including, bluegill
Bluegill
The Bluegill is a species of freshwater fish sometimes referred to as bream, brim, or copper nose. It is a member of the sunfish family Centrarchidae of the order Perciformes.-Range and distribution:...
, crappie
Crappie
Crappie is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The type species is P. annularis, the white crappie...
, channel catfish
Channel catfish
Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, is North America's most numerous catfish species. It is the official fish of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Tennessee, and is informally referred to as a "channel cat". In the United States they are the most fished catfish species with approximately 8...
, bullhead
Bullhead catfish
Ameiurus is a genus of catfishes in the family Ictaluridae. It contains the three common types of bullhead catfish found in waters of the United States, the black bullhead , the brown bullhead , and the yellow bullhead , as well as other species, such as the white catfish Ameiurus is a genus of...
, carp
Carp
Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain...
, muskie
Muskie
Muskie may refer to:*Ed Muskie, American politician*Muskellunge, freshwater fish native to North America...
and northern pike
Northern Pike
The northern pike , is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox...
. The Loon and Beaver Lake fish population is maintained through human stocking. Channel catfish, bass, bluegill and crappie are stocked in both lakes.
Besides its prairie restorations and bodies of water, Silver Springs has areas of deciduous forests, and wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
s, both of which are populated with species of mammals, birds and insects. Bird life observed in the park includes: Osprey
Osprey
The Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
, Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl, , also known as the Tiger Owl, is a large owl native to the Americas. It is an adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas.-Description:...
, Eastern Screech Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
The Eastern Screech Owl or Eastern Screech-Owl is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada.-Description:...
and Long-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
The Long-eared Owl - Asio otus is a species of owl which breeds in Europe, Asia, and North America. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, family Strigidae, which contains most species of owl...
; Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
have been sighted further upstream along the Fox. Reptiles and amphibians are present in the park but are more elusive than other types of animal life.
Activities
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
hunting, through a park operated controlled hunting program, is popular at the park. Dove hunting, squirrel hunting, and bow hunting for deer are also permitted with some restrictions. The park has areas set aside for trap shooting
Trap shooting
Trap shooting is one of the three major forms of competitive clay pigeon shooting . The others are skeet shooting and sporting clays. There are many versions including Olympic trap, Double trap , Down-The-Line, and Nordic trap. American trap is most popular in the United States and Canada...
, and archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
, participants are required to bring their own equipment and restrictions apply. For anglers, Loon Lake is stocked in the spring and fall with rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
and a small one-half acre pond to the east of the lake is stocked annually for children during the National Hunting and Fishing Days, which is marked yearly by events at Silver Springs. The Fox River is open for fishing from both the bank and boats. There are no motor restrictions and a boat launch is available at the park. The Fox River is shallow near the park and boaters are advised to use caution.
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area has trails for hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and horseback riding. A short, half mile (0.8 km) trail leads to Silver Springs near the park's east entrance. A longer, four mile (6.4 km) trail follows the course of the Fox River through the park's wooded areas. The equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
trail is located in the wildlife management area of the park and stretches seven miles (11 km). A one mile (1.6 km) path travels through the prairie restoration area as well. During the winter, much of the park's trail system is open to cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
, and a four mile (6 km) trail is open to snowmobiling, weather permitting. When ice thickness permits, the lakes are opened to ice skating
Ice skating
Ice skating is moving on ice by using ice skates. It can be done for a variety of reasons, including leisure, traveling, and various sports. Ice skating occurs both on specially prepared indoor and outdoor tracks, as well as on naturally occurring bodies of frozen water, such as lakes and...
and ice fishing
Ice fishing
Ice fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on the stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities.-Locations:It is a popular pastime...
. Sledding
Sledding
Sledding , sledging , sleding or tobogganing is a common activity in wintry areas, similar to sliding, but in a prone or seated position requiring a device or vehicle generically known in the US as a sled or in other countries as a sledge or toboggan...
is another popular activity; Toboggan Hill is located inside the park's east entrance.