Mar-Duke Farm Park

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Parks

Illinois

Nearby: Norfolk Park Dunham Place Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Mar-Duke Farm Park is a 206-acre park located in northern Illinois that offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors to enjoy.

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Summary

One of the main reasons to visit the park is to experience the beautiful natural surroundings, which include woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds.

One of the main points of interest at Mar-Duke Farm Park is the historic farmstead, which has been restored and preserved for visitors to explore. The farm includes a century-old barn, a farmhouse, and several outbuildings that provide a glimpse into life on a farm in the early 20th century. Visitors can also enjoy hiking and biking trails, fishing in the pond, and picnicking in the park's scenic areas.

Interesting facts about Mar-Duke Farm Park include that it was once owned by the famous Illinois politician and businessman Adlai E. Stevenson II, and that the park's name is a combination of the names of two of the previous owners of the land. The park is also part of the larger DuPage County Forest Preserve system, which includes over 25,000 acres of protected land in the area.

The best time of year to visit Mar-Duke Farm Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round and offers something to see and do in every season. Visitors should be sure to check the park's website for hours of operation and any special events or programs that may be happening during their visit.

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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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