Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve — Attraction in Illinois

Love this park! (Formerly known as Blackhawk Park years ago) Several miles of trails to wander along and across the Fox River (they have a great long bridge that stretches across) and through the forest & prairie. They also have a couple of picnic shelters and picnic tables and a restroom (just a small step up from an outhouse, but hey, when ya gotta go, ya gotta go...). There is even a natural little 8' water fall along the path and a grave marker for 2 soldiers killed in the Blackhawk War hidden in a small clearing of trees marked with a large boulder. There is also a boat launch and we often either put in or take out our kayak from this location as it is a lovely stretch of the...

Closest walking distance to the nearby pedestrian bridges and railroad bridge.

Magnet fishers! The pedestrian bridge next to Stearns Road was built in 2010 and I figured there would be many interesting things there, but found literally nothing. Keep in mind it's a steel bridge and is not the best place for magnet fishing anyway.

I went to the west and east banks of the railroad bridge nearby and pulled up hundreds of pounds of railroad spikes, strike plates, rivets, etc. I only stopped because it was getting dark, but there is much more to find there. (Watch out for submerged tree...

Wonderful park! This park has many things to enjoy from shelters, to trails, to history, and train rides. There are may trails here to enjoy since it is right off the fox river trail. Also there is some history here because there are grave site of soldiers in the park. The trolley from the South Elgin Trolley Museum has it's endpoint here on weekends that it is running. You can either start from the Trolley Museum and ride to the park or ride from the part pay at the Museum and ride back. There is also fishing and boating available here so...