Agencies
Services
Nature Preserve Area
10
County
Lee
Location And Access
From northwest part of Franklin Grove, take Old Mill Road west 2.6 miles. The nature preserve is along Franklin Creek within the park.
Description
Franklin Creek Nature Preserve contains upland and ravine forests, permanent stream, large springs and bedrock outcroppings of the Oregon Section of the Rock River Hill Country Natural Division. The gorge area is highly scenic and rich in both natural and historic features. The northfacing slope overlooking Franklin Creek is dotted with a mesic forest of sugar maple and basswood. Forest interior birds, such as pileated woodpecker, use this critical habitat for breeding. The seeps and springs support unusual plant life such as skunk cabbage, wild black current and swamp rose. Sheltered cliffs provide habitat for Canada yew, bulblet fern, smooth cliffbrake and downy arrowwood. Outcroppings along Franklin Creek are from the New Richmond Sandstone Formation, the oldest exposed formation in the state. Mill Spring, which once served as a source of water for a mill, is located just northeast of the preserve. In 1981, local people in Franklin Grove organized the Franklin Grove Park and Preserve Committee. The committee has undertaken the management of the area in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, including the development of picnic and recreation areas outside the preserve
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Dedicated
July 1970
Size
260 acres
Topographic Quad
Franklin Grove
For Further Information
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
or Site Superintendent, Franklin Creek State Park, 1872 Twist Rd., Franklin Grove, IL 61031 (815/456-2878)