Prairie Bluff Preserve was created in 2006 with the lease by the District of 730 acres from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois State Police. This land was previously part of the Illinois Department of Corrections' Stateville Prison. The Lockport Township Park District also leases a portion of the property.

This preserve has been protected to allow restoration and hydrological management activities to promote groundwater recharge of the seeps which feed the wetland breeding habitat of the Federally-endangered Hine's emerald dragonfly in the adjacent Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve.

In 2011 and 2012, the District is developing a public access area which will include access to a trail system. View more information about this project.

Photograph Courtesy of Ron Molk