Kickapoo Creek Park:  A wilderness in Logan County

[January 03, 2018] 

LINCOLN

For anyone who enjoys the outdoors and nature, Lincoln has been blessed with a park that meets many outdoor needs. It offers easy, quick access to observe wildlife close up, the opportunity to relax or practice fitness in the outdoors, fish, observe naturalized plants in prairie, savanna or wooded areas, or join with family and friends at a pavilion for a social.

And now of course with a good snow base, its a great place to sled or cross country ski.

The park put out a brochure this year that says it all:

Kickapoo Creek Park, part of the Logan County Park and Trails Foundation, is a beautiful area of woodlands, savanna, and prairie on the north edge of Lincoln, at 2000 N. Jefferson Street. The 160 acre park was formed in 1969 to be used by the public for the enjoyment of nature and recreation.

Approximately half of the park is wooded flood plain of Kickapoo Creek, which meanders through it from east to west. A foot bridge across the creek permits easy access to the more secluded north side. Huge lowland trees of sycamore, cottonwood and silver maple can be found growing in the woods since they can withstand the periodic floods that occur during the year along the creek.

The other half of the park is a savanna and prairie. The savanna, a combination of scattered trees and prairie plants within the center of the scenic driving loop, is a good place to see wildlife, especially deer. The 30-acre restored prairie used to be farmed but now offers ever-changing seasonal colors of forbs and grasses to simulate the appearance of Logan County as it was in the early 1800's and prior as a tall grass prairie.

Several miles of trails for hiking have been cleared on both sides of Kickapoo Creek, as well as through the savanna and prairie. A trail map is posted at the playground parking lot. One of the trails is designated as an exercise trail with equipment station along the way.

Other trails are ideal for seeing wildlife, photography, exercise, or even cross country skiing. A campground for scout groups is available, as are limited day camp facilities.

Both canoeing and fishing are permitted in the creek. Other amenities for the convenience of park visitors include picnic pavilions and picnic tables, playground equipment, open fields for ballgames, public toilets near parking areas, and city water. To reserve a pavilion call 217-735-2953.

The park is open year round from 7 a.m. to one half hour after sunset when the gates close. From morning until night a steady stream of walkers, runners, bicyclists, and vehicle drivers travel around the smooth and wide asphalt loop to enjoy the natural scenery. Two laps around the loop equal approximately 5 kilometers or 3.1 miles.

Fauna and flora

Those hoping to catch a glimpse of wildlife may be rewarded at any time by the appearance of white tailed deer, raccoons, coyotes foxes, rabbits, wild turkeys, and squirrels. The deer and turkeys are especially accommodating for photographers. Along Kickapoo Creek are found a variety of ducks, Canada geese, herons, muskrats and beavers. Owls and hawks cruise the prairie looking for mice, voles, other small mammals, and snakes. Deer often bed down in the tall prairie grass at night. Because the park is an area for the protection and preservation of wildlife, no hunting is permitted at any time.

Many state and federally protected animals in the park are accustomed to humans, there fore, we enforce a strict leash law on all pets so the wildlife will not be harmed.

Local songbirds and migratory birds are well fed with an abundance of crabapple trees and prairie seeds. Also, an enclosed bird watching station near the park office offers a chance to get out of the weather to watch birds up close from behind glass windows as the visit a dozen feeders.

Nature walkers will find a variety of vegetation in Kickapoo Creek Park.

In the flood plain of Kickapoo Creek, shade tolerant understory plants dominate as well as water tolerant trees. Early spring wildflowers bloom just before the trees leaf out.

Many of the upland trees were planted when the park originated and are dominated by pin oak, sweet gum, black walnut, sycamore and pine. Trees producing acorns, walnuts, pecans, and buckeyes provide the squirrel population an abundance of food resulting in a huge squirrel presence.

The Prairie is ever changing. Beginning in April plants emerge and flower. The purples of Ohio spiderwort, purple cone flower, and wild bergamot are evident until mid-summer. In summer the yellow flowers of cream wild indigo, black-eyed Susan, sunflowers, and grey-headed cone flowers are more evident. As fall approaches the taller goldenrods, big blue stem and Indian grasses reach above all other prairie plants to a height of eight feet.

Preserving our natural areas

In Logan County where 95 percent of the land is used for agricultural purposes, the presence of a natural area like Kickapoo Creek Park makes it a valuable asset to the local population. The reduction of natural areas continues with time as wetlands are filled in and woodlands converted to accommodate housing. Prairies have disappeared almost entirely since 200 years ago.

If we expect to have natural areas remain we must take deliberate steps to provide for their protection from development and invasive species.

The park is beautifully maintained with a crew of people working over the summers, and a few work year round.

Former Superintendent Don Helman over-saw numerous park changes over a number of years. Helman retired a little over a year ago and Joe Funk has taken up the mantle.

On any given day Funk can be seen working heartily, but especially following weather related changes.

If it snows overnight, at wee hours of the morning long before sun-up and as soon as roads are travelable, Funk will be out to plow the primary loop for cars and walkers. He then sets to hand shoveling areas for public use.

If it blows any time of the year, Funk is out picking up branches in the roadway and in areas that get maintained by mowing.

And while he maintains a brisk pace, he'll pause and greet park visitors, calling all the regulars and even their dogs by name. Seeing the park kept in order and beautiful as a pleasure for others to enjoy is his top priority. He also likes to share the marvels of nature with others and to protect God's creation.

Over the past three to four years a group of Master Naturalists have worked hard to remove invasive shrubs. This past spring replacement planting was started. It will take some years for the new starts to get established, but these shrubberies will provide more nutritious food, greater variety, reduce disease transmitting insects and supply other resources for wild life. You can read more about what was removed and why, and what was chosen to replace the old shrubs.

Master naturalists combat invasive shrub species with removal and replacement

Celebrating Arbor Day - Kickapoo Creek Park gets new shrubs

Any day of the week, you can find joggers and walkers, and there are some who come to just sit on a bench or in their car to simply enjoy nature in the park. Numerous groups conduct nature walks: bird, wild flowers and trees, etc.

You'll also find shutter bugs and professional photographers using the beauty of nature as backdrops to commemorate special occasions; families and friends gather for special events; and groups host fundraisers and other activities by reservation of half-a-dozen or so sheltered picnic areas.

You will see all the given cast of characters of a park, deer and squirrels, but there are also several elusive species that have been coaxed to habitat by careful cultivation and food offerings, such as blue birds, redheaded and red bellied woodpeckers, owl families, a pair of friendly orphaned deer, pairs of geese and a troup of turkeys; who know there might even be a partridge, but no pear tree. This year's newest regular specialty is a glorious eagle; all goes quiet when he or she majestically glides over the park looking for prey.

From scouts, to outdoor fitness, photographers; environmental and nature researchers, protectors and enthusiasts; for special events and every day renewal with nature, over the years many have come to enjoy this little slice of wilderness with portions of cultivated and well-maintained park.

Kickapoo Creek Park is part of the Logan County Park and Trails Foundation, which was established in 1969. It is privately funded and receives no governmental support.

While open to the public at no charge, support is welcome with annual membership rates: Student $2, Individual $10 and Family $15.

The Foundation also welcomes land, funds and memorial gifts. LCP&TF is a 501(c)3 not for profit charitable foundation. Donations are tax deductible. Business office phone [phone].

Contact the Park Office for general information at 217-735-2953.

Kickapoo Creek Park
2000 N. Jefferson St., Lincoln, IL
Located on the north edge of Lincoln, the north side of the old Route 66 Parkway.

[Jan Youngquist]