Irene King Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Irene King Park is a beautiful park located in the state of Illinois, which has many good reasons for visitors to come and explore.


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Summary

The park features stunning views of the surrounding countryside, along with a variety of natural attractions including hiking trails, picnic areas, and fishing spots. Visitors can also enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as camping, horseback riding, and bird watching.

One of the main points of interest at Irene King Park is the scenic Lake Shelbyville, which is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and swimming. The park also features a number of historical landmarks, including the famous Eagle Creek Bridge, which was built in 1916 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For visitors who are interested in wildlife, Irene King Park is home to a wide variety of animals, including bald eagles, wild turkeys, and deer. There are also several designated hunting areas within the park for those who wish to engage in this activity.

Interesting facts about the park include that the park was named after Irene King, who was a former Shelby County Treasurer. Additionally, the park was originally created as a way to provide flood control for the nearby Lake Shelbyville, which was created by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1970s.

The best time of year to visit Irene King Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, visitors can also enjoy the park during the fall when the leaves change color, or in the winter when the park is covered in snow.

Overall, Irene King Park is a wonderful destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors and wants to experience the natural beauty of Illinois. With its stunning views, interesting historical landmarks, and wide range of outdoor activities, it is a must-visit spot for both locals and tourists alike.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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