Lake Katherine Trail (1 mile)
- A nice athletic walk with opportunities to view birds and
other wildlife and converse with other walkers.
Birders Trail (1/4 mile) -
more secluded, this trail takes you across several bridges,
passed the Heirloom Apple Orchard, and through the Children’s
Forest.
Old Canoe Path Trail (1 mile one way)
- Found in our Eastern Preserve, this trail follows
the historic Calumet-Sag Channel completed in 1922. An earlier
“feeder” canal dug through the area added water
to the Illinois and Michigan Canal which brought expansion
and development to the Midwest in the mid 1800’s.
Bottomland Loop (1/8 mile) -
This trail contains our largest trees with some cottonwoods
reaching heights of over 80 feet. Many native understory plants
are found here. Visit the bottomlands and feel like a meadow
mouse among the giants.
Overlook Trail (1 mile one way) -
A moderate to difficult walk, this trail leads you over the
huge pilings created by digging of the Calument Sag Channel
in the early part of the last century. This trail mostly woodland,
crosses a stream and a small prairie. Woodland wildflowers
are found here.
View the GUIDE
TO THE GARDENS map
Plan you next fieldtrip to the GARDENS
AND HABITATS
Visit the University
of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners for more information.
