Eastern Loop

Nestled between the scenic Illinois River and forested, rolling hills and bluffs, East Peoria (population 22,638) has transformed from a factory town to a bustling city known nationally for premier girls' softball tournaments
and its Christmas-themed Festival of Lights. Nature-oriented tourists can take a bike ride, run or walk along the River Trail of Illinois, one section consisting of a paved, 5-mile trail, and the other a 1.8-mile riverside section featuring boardwalks and large overlook decks. The city's new RiverFront Park provides an up-close look at a working river and its wildlife in an urban setting, and will host the Illinois Art League's Eagle Landing Fine Art Festival and Sale in 2005. For more information, contact the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-747-0302 or visit http://www.peoria.org/.

The Illinois River channel widens out considerably here at the latitude of Peoria County, prompting local Indians to dub it, Pimiteoui ("fat lake"). Beyond the river itself, perhaps the most captivating scenery involves the high bluffs lining both sides of the 5-7-mile wide river valley here. Between mid-October and early November these densely forested, sugar maple-dominated bluff slopes are an astonishing fall color mosaic of yellows, oranges, salmons and ruby-reds. Up-close views of these majestic bluff forests can be seen at area parks such as Detweiller, Robinson and Camp Wokanda.

A tiny but brilliant gem is Bennett's Terraqueous Gardens, a small bluff-side seep just off of SR 116 in East Peoria, which contains a small marsh, woodland trail and charming learning station.

Eastern Loop Map

(For a detailed overview of the E. Loop nature sites - click the numbers on the right side of the map)

Park Symbol Guide

Inside the Eastern Loop

1. River Trail of Illinois

Planned to run from East Peoria to Morton, phase I of this 10-foot wide hard-surfaced hiking/biking trail was completed in 1991, running 4.8 miles north and east out of East Peoria along the old Illinois Terminal Railway line. The trail offers an educational introduction to both tallgrass prairie and bluffland forest habitats common to the Illinois River Valley.

Perhaps the best place for out-of-town visitors to access the trail is at the Fon du Lac Park District headquarters on Veterans Drive in East Peoria. Permitted activities include nature study, walking, hiking, jogging, skating, bicycling and cross country skiing.

Site Access: Free
GPS: n 40.66422; w 89.56439
Site Contact: 309-699-3923/ website
Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Riverfront Drive (Exit 94) in East Peoria, go east on I 74 for 1.4 miles to Exit 96/Washington St. in East Peoria. Take the ramp and go northeast (right) on Washington St. and after a few hundred yards, turn southeast (right) onto Veterans Drive. Follow Veterans Drive briefly and turn left into the Fon du Lac Park District Administration parking lot, and park at the south end of the lot. The trail is a short walk from the lot.

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2. East Peoria Riverfront Greenway

East Peoria's Riverfront Greenway project is a 1.8-mile walking/hiking trail along the east bank of the Illinois River. Beginning at EastPort Public Boat Ramp, the trail runs through Cooper Park and terminates at Spindler Marina and Campground. This trail project is congruent with Fon du Lac Park District's planned Phase II of the River Trail of Illinois project. It includes a 1200-foot section of raised boardwalk equipped with 3 separate observation decks, which overlook multiple wetland areas including four levels of ponds created by the damming of the river by resident beavers.

Due east of the Greenway, on the east service road of SR 116 almost directly across from EastPort Marina, is Bennetts Terraqueous Gardens, a small, but fine nature preserve developed around a 4-acre woodland seep habitat. This site features a small plume-grass marsh, a steep, rocky, informal hiking path up to an associated bog, and a charming wooden "learning station" perched on the hillside.

Site Access: Free; Fee
GPS: n 40.69542; w 89.54347
Site Contact: 309-699-3549/ website

Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 and Exit 94/Riverfront Drive in East Peoria, go east on I 74 for 0.9 miles to Exit 95B to N Main St./SR (State Route) 116/US 150. Turn north (right) from the end of the exit ramp onto SR 116 and proceed 2.3 miles to Mariners Way Rd. Turn west (left) on Mariner's Way Rd. and go 0.2 miles, veering right into the EastPort Public Boat Ramp parking lot. The trailhead is located at the far northern end of the parking lot.

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3. Detweiller Park

Peoria Park District's massive 740-acre Detweiller Park is a popular multi-use destination for Peoria area residents who enjoy golfing, soccer, volleyball, hiking, birding, and many other outdoor activities. Detweiller Drive, which runs through much of the park, features one of the finest, most diverse collections of oaks around; and the early spring show of blooming redbuds should not be missed. The fall foliage color contributed by the oaks along with other trees such as sugar maple, white ash, mockernut hickory, and pawpaw is an eagerly anticipated October event.

Nature lovers should explore one or more of the park's 5+ miles of hiking trails traversing the steep, heavily dissected bluffs which characterize the undeveloped northern/northeastern portions of the park. The associated forest is in near-pristine condition, and is populated with uncommon plants such as bitternut hickory, black oak, serviceberry, and black walnut, along with spring-blooming woodland wildflowers like Dutchman's breeches, Virginia bluebells, white trillium, and Solomon's seal. This site also serves as home for sensitive deep-forest-dwelling birds such as Brown Creeper, Red-eyed Vireo, Veery, Ovenbird, and Scarlet Tanager.

Site Access: Free
GPS: n 40.78904; w 89.59216
Site Contact: 309-681-2902/ website 

Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 at Exit 94/Riverfront Drive in East Peoria, go east on I 74 for 0.9 miles to Exit 95B to N Main St./SR (State Route) 116N/US 150. Turn north (right) from the end of the exit ramp onto SR 116 and proceed 3.6 miles to the access ramp to US 24/US 150. Take the ramp and bear left (north) onto US 24/US 150 West fork. Go west for 1 mile to SR 29/NE Adams St. Cross the river and take the first exit to the right, SR 29/NE Adams St. Go 0.1 miles on the ramp to NE Adams/SR 29/Galena Rd. Go north (left) on SR 29/N Galena Rd. for 5.1 miles and turn left (west) on W Detweiller Dr. and follow into Detweiller Park.

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4. Robinson Park

This wild, undeveloped 680-acre park was donated to the Peoria Park District in 1951 by L.E. and Erma Robinson in memory of their son Laurence, who loved to play and explore there as a child, and died in WWII.

Narrow, informal paths lace the site, along with a substantial segment of the better-developed Pimiteoui Trail. For the ecologically-oriented visitor, the most intriguing component of Robinson Park is its 151-acre nature preserve, which consists of glacial drift hill prairies, and oak woodlands along the ridges and valleys. The preserve sits on two long, narrow ridges and steep valley slopes drained by Moon Creek. Several small glacial drift hill prairies occur on the south-facing slopes. Some of the prairie wildflowers found here include scurf pea, pale purple coneflower, purple prairie clover, yellow false foxglove, stiff tickseed, golden Alexanders, bird's foot violets, and snow trillium, all strewn throughout little bluestem and side-oats grama grasses which dominate the prairie habitat. The woodland habitat includes white oak, red oak, chinquapin oak, shagbark hickory, witch hazel, hazelnut, basswood, maple, and pawpaw. The spring-blooming wildflower show along the forest floor of these woodlands is spectacular.

Site Access: Free
GPS: n 40.82097; w 89.59724
Site Contact: 309-686-3360/ website

Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 at Exit 94/ Riverfront Drive in East Peoria, go east on I 74 for 0.9 miles to Exit 95B to N Main St./SR (State Route) 116N/US 150. Turn north (right) from the end of the exit ramp onto SR 116 and proceed 3.6 miles to the access ramp to US 24/US 150. Take the ramp and bear left (north) onto US 24/US 150 West fork. Go west for 1 mile to SR 29/NE Adams St. Cross the river and take the first exit to the right, SR 29/NE Adams St. Go 0.1 miles on the ramp to NE Adams/SR 29/Galena Rd. Go north (left) on SR 29/N Galena Rd. for 6.7 miles to Mossville Road. Turn west (left) onto Mossville Road and proceed 1.6 miles to the park entrance on the right.

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5. Camp Wokanda

Camp Wokanda, acquired from W.D. Boyce Council of the Boy Scouts of America, offers a beautiful 316-acre woodland setting, including a lake for fishing. The camp, with dining hall, sleeping cabins, program buildings and tent camping, offers a variety of naturalist tours, environmental education, and rental options to groups interested in a secluded, close-to-nature gathering. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Peoria, this Peoria Park District site has been providing fond memories for its young campers since the 1920s.

Primarily used as a facility for group camping events, Camp Wokanda's overnight accommodations include cabin and primitive camping, as well as a central lodge and dining hall. Camp Wokanda hosts events including guided tours, environmental education programs, retreats, and even weddings.

Follow the several hiking trails through bluff woodlands, hill prairies, oak-hickory savannas, creeks, and lakes. While exploring these habitats look for specialty birds such as Pileated and Red-headed woodpeckers, orioles, Osprey (during migration) and Bald Eagles (winter).

Site Access: Fee for Camping
GPS: n 40.84193; w 89.58304
Site Contact: 309-686-3360/ website 

Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 at Exit 94/ Riverfront Drive in East Peoria, go east on I 74 for 0.9 miles to Exit 95B to N Main St./SR (State Route) 116N/US 150. Turn north (right) from the end of the exit ramp onto SR 116 and proceed 3.6 miles to the access ramp to US 24/US 150. Take the ramp and bear left (north) onto US 24/US 150 West fork. Go west for 1 mile to SR 29/NE Adams St. Cross the river and take the first exit to the right, SR 29/NE Adams St. Go 0.1 miles on the ramp to NE Adams/SR 29/Galena Rd. Go north (left) on SR 29/N Galena Rd. for 7.7 miles to where Galena Rd. turns west. Turn west (left) onto Galena Rd. for 0.9 miles to Neil Lane/Boy Scout Rd. Turn south (left) onto Neil Lane/Boy Scout Rd. and proceed 1.0 mile to Camp Wokanda.

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6. Shore Acres Park

Located in Chillicothe on the west bank of the Illinois River and maintained by the Chillicothe Park District, Shore Acres Park hosts swimming, tennis, basketball, disc golf, picnicking, a riverfront hiking trail, a boat launch, a playground, and other recreational opportunities. The park is also an excellent place to view wintering Bald Eagles.

The focal point of the park is a 19th-century clubhouse which has been placed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The facility can be leased for conferences, retreats, business meetings, weddings, and other events. While in Chillicothe, naturalists should also visit Moffitt Nature Park, a 32-acre site with picnic tables, a pavilion, and nature trail system.

Site Access: Free
GPS: n 40.90374; w 89.49135
Site Contact: 309-274-3409/ website

Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 at Exit 94/ Riverfront Drive in East Peoria, go east on I 74 for 0.9 miles to Exit 95B to N Main St./SR (State Route) 116N/US 150. Turn north (right) from the end of the exit ramp onto SR 116 and proceed 3.6 miles to the access ramp to US 24/US 150. Take the ramp and bear north (left) onto US 24/US 150 West fork. Go west for 1 mile to SR 29/NE Adams St. Cross the river and take the first exit to the right, SR 29/NE Adams St. Go 0.1 miles on the ramp to NE Adams/SR 29/Galena Rd. Go north (left) on SR 29/N Galena Rd. for 14.3 miles to Cloverdale Rd. in Chillicothe. Turn east (right) on Cloverdale Road; cross the railroad tracks and go 1 block to 2nd St. Turn south (right) on 2nd St. and proceed 0.2 miles to Shore Acres Park entrance on the left.

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7. Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area

Initiated in 1925, the Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area presently includes about 6,000 acres spread over 3 different units along 10 miles of Illinois River shoreline.

At 3,000 acres, the Marshall Unit is the largest, and houses primitive and full hook-up campsites, a boat launch, and fishing access, along with the site's headquarters building. A 3.25-mile nature trail system coursing primarily through bluff and ravine hardwood forests is located to the immediate east of the headquarters building.

The area's 1,642-acre Spring Branch Unit is located directly across the Illinois River from the Marshall Unit, and features a 6-acre picnic area, hiking trail, and fishing access. Several miles to the north of the Spring Branch Unit lies the 1,280-acre Sparland Unit, which is comprised mostly of open water, and is used primarily for duck hunting (winter) and fishing (summer).

Each of the units features bluff/ravine and bottomland hardwood forests. Common forest mammals include fox, Gray and Flying squirrels, and White-tailed Deer. For those willing to rise early enough to visit the bottomland forests at dawn - especially where they interface with water - Raccoons, Muskrat, mink, and beaver can often be observed.

Site Access: Free; Fee for camping
GPS: n 40.95450; w 89.42854
Site Contact: 309-246-8351/ website 

Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 at Exit 94/Riverfront Drive in East Peoria, go east on I 74 for 0.9 miles to Exit 95B to N Main St./SR (State Route) 116N/US 150. Turn north (right) from the end of the exit ramp onto SR 116 and proceed 5.0 miles to SR 26. Turn northwest (left) onto SR 26 and proceed 18.0 miles to Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area on the left.

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8. Toluca Coal Mine Park
 

In 1893, the Santa Fe Railroad purchased 11,000 acres here, and authorized the Devlin Coal Company to mine the site. Peak production occurred in 1905, with well over 700 workers extracting 379,000 tons of coal. The mine closed in 1924, leaving behind two massive residual slag heaps. Nicknamed "The Jumbos" by the locals, the slag heaps are now considered memorials of sorts to the region's coal workers.

Today, "The Jumbos" are gradually restoring themselves back into oak-maple-cherry woodlands. Local citizens banded together to initiate a park/memorial area at the site, and with their help the town of Toluca complied. The park has a miniature coal car filled with real coal, along with interpretive signage, at its front entrance.

While in Toluca, visitors may opt to take advantage of the town's fine Italian restaurants, legacies of the Italian families that settled at the turn of the 20th century to work for the railroad and in the mines.

Site Access: Free 
GPS: n 40.99964; w 89.13413 

Directions:
From the intersection of I 74 at Exit 94/Riverfront Drive in East Peoria, go east on I 74 for 0.9 miles to Exit 95B to N Main St./SR (State Route) 116N/US 150. Turn north (right) from the end of the exit ramp onto SR 116 and proceed 23.5 miles through Metamora to SR 117 in Roanoke. Turn left (north) on SR 116/SR 117 and proceed 15.8 miles on SR 117 into Toluca. Continue east on SR 117/Santa Fe Ave. for 0.8 miles past the Toluca city limit sign. Turn south (right) onto Walnut St and proceed 2 blocks to Bennington St. Turn west (right) on Bennington and go 0.5 miles to the Toluca Coal Mine Park parking area.

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