Sangamon River Forest Preserve Map
About the Residence
Directions, Hours & Contact Information
The fifth forest preserve in Champaign County is now open. This peaceful 160-acre jewel is located in Fisher, Illinois, on County Road 600 E, approximately two miles south of U.S. Route 136.
As you walk around, you’ll notice only a small amount of development. In addition to the parking area, restroom, roadway and trails, we plan to add a few more trails along with a shelter. This will be an ideal setting for low-impact activities, such as picnicking, bird-watching and hiking.
The goal for this land is to restore the landscape as closely as possible to its original pre-settlement conditions. Then we will no longer have to imagine what it once looked like because we will be able to see it with our own eyes.
Original surveyors’ maps will guide the restoration of our landscape heritage. The upland soil will again hold the roots of the prairie plants that evolved and thrived here for thousands of years following the retreat of the last glacier.
The transitional oak savanna ecosystem that has persisted on the east side of the site will continue to tower above the grasses below. With individual branches as large as most trees, these craggy giants reach out in every direction to capture the light.
Fortunately, the low, bottomland areas have already been planted with thousands of native trees by the former landowners, Ron and Karen Cook. These thriving young trees will become the backbone of the restored Sangamon Grove. The result – visitors will someday be able to experience what their forebears did when they arrived at this challenging and amazing place on the Illinois frontier, known as the Grand Prairie. In short, it will be a window to our past.
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