The Watershed Nature Center — Attraction in Edwardsville

The watershade nature center in Edwardville, Illinois is a great place to spend a bright sunny day. The lake is named so owing to the presence of a beautiful wetland which remains covered with water all year round. The aquatic ecosystem is blessed with a wide range of aquatic plants and birds. During the spring and summer the water gets covered by algal bloom but the water clears and appears to be blue under a bright sky in winter season. A beautiful walking path extending onto the marsh gives a soothing view specially during the summer. An amazing view of the entire wetland can be enjoyed from either of the two wooden resthouses.

Surrounding the entire wetland there is a paved trail that covers the upland forest. Footsteps of deers can be marked on a trail that is a litle outside than the main park area.

Along with this, the nature center contains several beehouses, birdhouses and blessed with...

How did I not know this was here before today?! I discovered this place in passing. My mother, my 4-yr-old son, and I left the house last minute at around lunch time to find something to do while we were waiting for the power to be restored at home. I’m so happy we walked the trail around The Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville, IL. The nature preserve is a luscious oasis hidden in the suburbs. You get a taste of what settlers saw and why they called this area the “land of milk and honey.” My family walked leisurely for about an hour, took pictures, and ate wild black raspberries all with hardly a complaint from the little man. In passing, I noticed groups of people, and their house pets, from all age groups and walks of life. Watershed is a neutrally sweet and safe place to enjoy a day out and appreciate what god has to offer. I’ll be scheduling this breathtaking detour on our weekend outings...

The main feature of the nature center is a great, level trail surrounding a pond which was obviously well thought out and executed. Very impressive! For walkers, on a counterclockwise walk, the first about .85 miles is mostly small gravel with some mown grass path. The remainder of the trail is paved. The water marsh section is a cement "pier" with no edge barriers -- so not a place for children! This would be a regular walking trail for me if I lived around Edwardsville. But I'll probably be back at some point. Note that the Nature Center is only open on Wednesdays from 8a to 3p and appears to be a classroom location. Nothing like the nature centers I'm used to...