Evans-Judge Preserve

In 2002 and 2003, the District acquired the 182-acre Evans Judge Preserve on Route 113 near Custer Park, which includes floodplain terrace and wetland slough in an abandoned river channel, disturbed sand savanna, and degraded upland forest. The preserve was named after earlier owners of the property.

The preserve was developed in 2009 to provide a small parking lot and a one-mile trail limestone/natural surface trial for hiking and cross-country skiing. Fishing will also be available in the Kankakee River. Because the site was originally an island, the trail may get muddy at times due to flooding and may be periodically closed for safety.

Future plans for the site include providing boat access to the Kankakee River. Long-range planning will look at ways to provide habitat and/or trail linkages upriver to the Kankakee River State Park and downstream to the our nearby Wauponsee Glacial Trail.

Photograph Courtesy of Lorenzo Pesce

Preserves & Trails

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