Mary Richardson Jones Park
Rate this placeNearby: Cotton Tail Park Coliseum Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Mary Richardson Jones Park is a small park located in the state of Illinois that is full of natural beauty and historical significance.
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Summary
The park is named after Mary Richardson Jones, a former slave who became a prominent figure in the Underground Railroad, which helped slaves escape to freedom.
One of the main reasons to visit Mary Richardson Jones Park is to learn about the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois. The park features an interpretive center that provides information about Mary Richardson Jones and her role in helping slaves escape. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the park to learn about the various sites associated with the Underground Railroad.
In addition to its historical significance, Mary Richardson Jones Park is a beautiful natural area that is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The park features hiking trails, picnic areas, and a fishing pond, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can spot a variety of wildlife in the park, including birds, deer, and foxes.
Interesting facts about Mary Richardson Jones Park include that it was once a stop on the Underground Railroad and that it is home to a rare prairie ecosystem. The park also features a restored prairie house that dates back to the 1800s.
The best time of year to visit Mary Richardson Jones Park is during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and the park is in full bloom. Visitors can enjoy hiking, picnicking, and fishing during these months. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can also enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months.
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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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