Hadley Valley Preserve

Preservation of Hadley Valley Preserve started in 2000, and extended the Spring Creek Greenway eastward three miles from Walnut Hollow Preserve, and protects a portion of the Hadley Valley Aquifer recharge area (primary source of the City of Joliet’s drinking water), and a scenic vista from Route 6. Hadley Valley Preserve is currently 695 acres and includes a 0.5-mile-wide valley providing a scenic view from Route 6 along the north edge of New Lenox from Farrell Road in Joliet to Bruce Road in Homer Glen.

Horse Rider on Spring Creek Greenway Trail

Horse Rider on Spring Creek Greenway Trail

An access area at Gougar Road was opened in 2009, offering a picnic shelter and access to a 2.5-mile crushed limestone loop trail. The trail, perfect for equestrians, is part of the 4-mile Spring Creek Greenway Trail system connecting Hadley Valley with the Joliet Park District's Pilcher Park.

A second access area at Bruce Road is currently under development, and includes a one-mile extension of the Spring Creek Greenway Trail. View more information about this project here.

The District is partnering with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority on a large-scale stream de-channelization and wetland and wildlife habitat restoration project in Hadley Valley Preserve using U.S. Army Corps of Engineer O’Hare Modernization Mitigation Account (OMMA) funds secured through Openlands.

Future planning and preservation will look to link the trail southward to Joliet Park District and Forest Preserve District holdings on Hickory Creek (eventually to the Old Plank Road Trail) and northward along I-355 to the Des Plaines River. The District will work with New Lenox and Homer Glen to extend the greenway eastward to Messenger Woods Nature Preserve as annexation and development occurs.

Photograph Courtesy of Ron Molk

Preserves & Trails

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