What Are Natural Areas?
Human activity since the early 1800s has changed the landscape around St. Charles. Native prairies, woodlands and wetlands were first cultivated as farms, which were later replaced to provide homes for a growing suburban population. Today very few of these natural open spaces remain. The Park District has acquired, restored and maintains 415+ acres of natural areas that contain a variety of natural ecosystems such as fens, marshes, savannas, meadows, prairies, woodlands and more. These natural areas provide many benefits including:
• supporting native plant and animal life
• preserving local biodiversity including threatened and endangered species
• containing flood waters that overflow rivers and streams into wetland areas
• filtering contaminants in water and recharging the aquifers we rely on for fresh, clean water
• opportunities for recreation and education
Why Visit A Natural Area
Being outside in nature is good for you! Connecting with nature provides an abundant amount of physical and mental benefits. It helps your brain and your body in more ways that you can imagine. From reducing stress and decreasing your risk of ailments to improving clarity, restoring your energy and boosting your immunity, nature allows you to discover and heighten all of your senses. It’s time to explore your natural areas with a quick minute of feet on the grass, a short walk along the trails, having a picnic in the park, taking part in a nature program or volunteering with friends on a restoration day.
Delnor Wood Parks – 45.9 acres
A native oak-hickory woodland with century-old trees plus native plantings, interpretative signage, fishing opportunities, picnic pavilions, paved pathways and a dam with a small waterfall.
Ferson Creek Fen – 43.1 acres
Illinois State Nature Preserve: Premiere wetland with a sedge meadow, boardwalk, fen with rare plants, walking trails, floodplain woods and prairie restoration.
Hickory Knolls Natural Areas – 123.7 acres
Illinois Land & Water Reserve: A large and extremely diverse landscape environment featuring restored woodlands, wetlands, prarie and savanna phentermine-med.com with a picnic pavilion and walking trails.
Hunt Club Wetland – 6.4 acres
A restored wetland acting as a flood control component.
Kingswood Wetland – 4.9 acres
A mature wetland/woodland dominated by maple and oak.
Majestic Oaks Wetland – 17.4 acres
A mature wetland/woodland dominated by maple and oak.
Norris Woods – 75.9 acres
Illinois State Nature Preserve: An outstanding red oak forest with a wide diversity of wildflowers, interpretive signage, a gravel biking trail and a model restored stream channel.
Otter Creek Bend Wetland Park – 71.9 acres
A model, restored wetland with interpretative signage, gravel walking trail system, creek bridge, and stone overlook.
Persimmon Woods – 36.8 acres
A unique upland swamp dominated by swamp white oaks, white oaks and hickories with adjacent marshy wetlands and a white oak wooded enclave.
Royal Fox Wetland – 3.8 acres
A mature wetland/woodland dominated by maple and oak and a restored wetland acting as a flood control component.
Williams Wetland – 8.2 acres
A restored wetland acting as a flood control component.
Click here for a map of the St. Charles Park District parks and facilities.