How does Lincoln Marsh benefit the community?

Recreation

Thousands of people visit Lincoln Marsh Natural Area each year to hike, picnic, and enjoy the outdoors. Nature enthusiasts find great bird-watching opportunities. Lincoln Marsh is an ideal place to jog, bike, or cross-country ski because the trails connect with the Illinois Prairie Path.

Programs

The Lincoln Marsh offers a wide variety of programming opportunities to over 13,000 participants every year. We provide Nature and Adventure Programs to schools, groups, scouts, individuals, and families. Our Challenge Course includes team building, high ropes, a climbing tower, and more.

Flood Control

The marsh stores stormwater during heavy rains and floods. It would cost more than $10 million to construct the stormwater retention facilities that the marsh provides naturally.

Water Quality Improvement

The marsh improves the surface and groundwater quality for surrounding communities. Wetland plants, soil, and hydrology cleanse silt and chemical pollutants from the water.

Wildlife Habitat

Although it’s called Lincoln Marsh, the park features several habitats: wetlands, wet-mesic grasslands, mesic prairies, successional woodlands, and mature oak-hickory woodlands. This array of habitats helps to support a diversity of over 300 plant and animal species. Just a few are listed below.

Cattails
Oak & Black Cherry Trees
Goldenrod
Coneflowers
Asters
Big Bluestem
Trout Lily & Trillium

Red Fox & Coyote
White-tailed Deer
Bats
Mink & Muskrats
Painted Turtles
Chorus Frogs & Bullfrogs
American Toads

Red-winged Blackbirds
Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers
Red-tailed Hawks
Great Horned & Screech Owls
Bluebirds
Wood Ducks
Great Blue Heron