George S. Park Memorial Woods Nature Preserve
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
George S.
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Summary
Park Memorial Woods Nature Preserve is a 129-acre natural area located in the state of Illinois. The preserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, raccoons, red foxes, and a variety of birds and insects.
One of the primary reasons to visit the park is for its scenic beauty. Visitors can explore the park's hiking trails, which wind through dense forests, along meandering streams, and over rolling hills. The park is also home to a large pond, which is a popular destination for fishing and boating.
Some of the specific points of interest within the park include the historic Park family cemetery, a restored prairie, and an observation deck overlooking the pond. Visitors can also learn about the history and ecology of the area by visiting the park's nature center and attending educational programs and guided tours.
Interesting facts about the park include its designation as a National Natural Landmark due to its exceptional ecological value and its unique geology, which includes exposed bedrock and a variety of glacial features.
The best time of year to visit George S. Park Memorial Woods Nature Preserve is during the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and the park's flora and fauna are most active. However, the park is open year-round and offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty of nature in all seasons.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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