wildlife area illinois state park acres illinois united_states park established late 1960s named natural spring boundaries park artificial lakes flows northern end park hosts variety activities including fishing hunting boating hiking park areas native prairie restoration hill seven mile equestrian trail prairie restoration areas hold species plants including lead plant purple location park divided northern area situated house designed van der property bought frames western park main access points park bridge takes fox river drive ben street river adjoining road fox road runs past entrance park 1960s current bridge constructed appealed suggesting block bridge citing ecological concerns things history evidence valley near populated indigenous people near end ice age years ago original acres tract land wildlife area purchased state illinois open january year park located illinois miles west city original acquisition acres added park wildlife area new state parks opened northern illinois acres added illinois state park system period opened alleviate traffic state parks area time oversees state park system attempting provide chicago area state park facilities illinois park extant wells tapping state purchased property modern reaching depth feet located near park entrance illinois black dirt gravel clay limestone completion produced gallons day summer provides park water wells remained use following completion prairie restoration project began acres acres added restoration project undertook prairie restoration area park north project removed numerous invasive species area including ash maple exotic non native exotic species absence fire human intervention actions meant allow native black oak chance reproduce bodies water wildlife area covers acres includes distinct bodies water artificial lakes larger lakes covers acres miles shoreline maximum depth feet average depth feet known constructed lowland area excavated lake water level maintained small acre watershed water quality lake identified good beaver lake north smaller covering acres half mile shoreline maximum depth feet beaver lake average depth feet park comes natural spring located trail south end park spring derived effect sunlight surface makes pool appear like silver winter bubbling spring plants snow surrounding bordered pool months miles flows park north end wildlife plant species native illinois prior european settlement found park acre prairie restoration plant life varies season species observed park include lead plant purple wild purple prairie black eyed susan tall compass plant wild master new_jersey tea big switch grass indian grass park mile trail species trees found species oak species ash kentucky tree species living boundaries numerous species freshwater fish including channel northern pike fish population maintained human channel bass stocked lakes prairie bodies water areas deciduous forests wetlands populated species mammals birds insects bird life observed park includes great owl eastern owl long owl bald eagle sighted upstream fox reptiles amphibians present park elusive types animal life activities season hunting fishing park primary activities fall winter acres opened public hunting hunting park operated controlled hunting program popular park dove hunting hunting bow hunting deer permitted restrictions park areas set aside trap shooting participants required bring equipment restrictions apply stocked spring fall rainbow trout small half acre pond east lake stocked annually children marked yearly events fox river open fishing bank boats motor restrictions boat launch available park shallow near park advised use caution trails hiking horseback riding short half mile trail leads near park east entrance longer mile trail follows course park wooded areas equestrian trail located wildlife management area park stretches seven miles mile path travels prairie restoration area winter park trail system open cross country skiing mile trail open weather permitting ice thickness permits lakes opened ice skating ice fishing popular activity located inside park east entrance
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area