Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
3
County
Will
Location
Pilcher Park is located on the east side of Joliet, approximately 1 mile west of the I-80 and I-355 interchange. It lies north of Route 30 and west of Gougar Road, along Hickory Creek.
Description
Pilcher Park is a large and diverse forest complex recognized on the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory for its high-quality mesic upland forest, wet-mesic upland forest, and seep community’s representative of the Morainal Section of the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division of Illinois. Pilcher Park is one of northeastern Illinois’ premiere woodlands with outstanding spring wildflower displays and old-growth trees. More than 270 native plant species have been documented within Pilcher Park, and at least 11 species of birds with moderate to high sensitivity to habitat fragmentation breed on site. Most of the site is dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve but the registered Land and Water Reserve portion includes Hickory Creek and the Pilcher Park Nature Center where more active uses such as fishing, kayaking, and group activities are allowed.
Ownership
Joliet Park District
Natural Division
Morainal Section of the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division (#3a)
Registered
February 2018
Size
110 acres
Access
The site is open to the public. It is a well-established urban natural area, with miles of hiking trails and roads, outdoor recreation, and a nature center with many park district-sponsored activities and education programs. Passive uses such as trail hiking, bird watching, photography, and nature observation are allowed on site.
Topographic Quad
Joliet
For Further Information
Visit the Joliet Park District Website or Contact the INPC
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
DNR.INPC@illinois.gov