Shannon Bayou Environmental Education Center

3301 Waldron Road, Aroma Park

This 46 acre preserve is located in Aroma Park along the Kankakee River. The office center provides space for programs on subjects such as natural history, ecology, and preservation of open space in the Kankakee River Valley. The walking trail area features plantings of many native trees and plants, including an acre of native tallgrass prairie, a 0.6 mile asphalt and fine gravel walking trail, a picnic shelter, and picnic tables.

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Aroma Land and Water Preserve

On Heiland Road, 1.4 miles south of Highway 17 East

One of the best sites in the area for woodland wildflowers, this 83 acre site features a 1.2 mile walking trail winding through several different types of natural areas, including sand prairie, wetland, wet oak woodlands, and river bank.

Over 40 percent of the Aroma Preserve is a wetland and lies within the flood plain of the Kankakee River.  In the spring, the wet oak forest gives a spectacular wildflower display while the wetland and sand prairie are the most colorful in the summer.

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Gar Creek Trail and Prairie Restoration

One-half mile east of Rout 45 on River Road adjacent to Kankakee Community College.

This site is approximately 85 acres, with a  2.5 mile trail suitable for hiking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing.  Gar Creek Prairie is a cooperative project with the Kankakee Valley Park District. The 16 acre restored Tallgrass prairie was planted in 1992. The trail begins at the prairie, winds along Gar Creek, through oak woodland, and down to the banks of the Kankakee River.

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Waldron Arboretum

This 86 acre site is located 1.1 miles south of Route I-57. Waldron Arboretum includes 30 acres that had once been a landscaping nursery, and 56 acres currently that has primarily been in agriculture for decades and is currently under a farm lease.  Conservation and restoration plans are pending based on the district needs and funds available through federal and state grants. There is a fine gravel hiking trail suitable for bicycling and cross country skiing. The trail winds through woodland and a small prairie restoration area.

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Strasma Grove

On Duane Boulevard in Kankakee, this site is 2 acres with a mowed walking trail through mature native trees.

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Limestone Reforestation Site

This site is a 30 - acre preserve on County Road 3750 West.

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