Kendall County GIS

Waa Kee Sha is a 22-acre woodland that provides habitat for a variety of wildlife and uncommon native species. This natural area park includes a picnic area with shelter & playground, hiking trails, and cross country skiing. We are asking for the public’s assistance in documenting the high quality woodland ephemerals around the seasonally inundated pond at the heart of the park.

The Oswegoland Park District is dedicated to “Creating Opportunities for a Healthy Community,” offering exceptional parks, trails, programs, and events for all ages. With over 1,300 acres of parkland and 20 miles of scenic trails, it’s “Your Place to Play”—whether you’re exploring nature, staying active, or connecting with neighbors. Learn more at www.OswegolandParkDistrict.org 

Waa Kee Sha Park

The rain gardens in the Winrock Pool parking lot offer a number of environmental benefits including filtering pollutants, reducing water runoff, and providing habitat for wildlife. Help us document how the dozens of native species grow and change throughout the seasons.

The Oswegoland Park District is dedicated to “Creating Opportunities for a Healthy Community,” offering exceptional parks, trails, programs, and events for all ages. With over 1,300 acres of parkland and 20 miles of scenic trails, it’s “Your Place to Play”—whether you’re exploring nature, staying active, or connecting with neighbors. Learn more at www.OswegolandParkDistrict.org  

Winrock Park

Looking down historic Main St of Downtown Oswego with trees, shops and changes every season.

The Oswego Public Library District exists to provide quality lib rary service which will effectively meet the informational, educational, and recreational needs of district residents of all ages, with special emphasis on supplying popular materials, providing reference service, and assisting students of all ages in meeting their educational needs.

Downtown Oswego Campus

Subat Forest Preserve is a hot spot for biodiversity in Kendall County.  While the preserve is small in size, the diversity of habitats all found in close proximity provides an abundance of natural resources.  Wildlife species adapted to oak woodlands, prairies, and wetlands including riparian floodplain, fen, and marsh habitats are all found at Subat.  Check out the e-Bird checklist to get insight into how these habitats support an unusual assemblage of species, and help Chronolog seasonal changes and restoration in progress in our restored prairie, riparian woodlands, fen, and marsh areas.  Visit our online wildflower guide  to help identify some of the more common wildflowers found here. 

Stop in to enjoy the Mary M. Subat Nature Center! 

About Kendall County Forest Preserve District:

The Kendall County Forest Preserve District  is a local government agency within t he State of Illinois dedicated to conserving natural areas and connecting people to nature.  The mission of the District is to acquire, preserve, and manage natural areas and open spaces, provide environmental education, and provide recreational opportunities for Kendall County residents.  The District currently owns 3,000 acres of land within 21-forest preserve areas.  Preserve areas are located primarily along the Fox River and its tributaries, and the Aux Sable Creek.  Preserve amenities and services include recreational trails, event venues, overnight campgrounds, picnic shelters, fishing ponds, educational programming, and horsemanship lessons.

For more information, visit http://kendallforest.com

Subat Nature Center – Prairie Overlook

The Bureau of Land Management’s 1830’s Land Survey identified the headwaters of Rob Roy Creek emanating from a swampy area and slough (meaning shallow lake) extending northeast as shown.  Today, Rob Roy Creek is designated as a “Class A” stream, the highest quality rating from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  The creek is 10.3 miles long found mostly within Kendall County.   Rob Roy Creek runs through Subat Forest Preserve, the District’s River Road Tree Mitigation area, and portions of Silver Springs State Park before confluence with the Fox River at the Farnsworth House estate.  Help Chronolog seasonal change, creek levels, and restoration in progress, as the District works to clear this area of invasive species from the stream corridor and surrounding oak woodlands. 

The Kendall County Forest Preserve District  is a local government agency within t  he State of Illinois dedicated to conserving natural areas and connecting people to nature.  The mission of the District is to acquire, preserve, and manage natural areas and open spaces, provide environmental education, and provide recreational opportunities for Kendall County residents.  The District currently owns 3,000 acres of land within 21-forest preserve areas.  Preserve areas are located primarily along the Fox River and its tributaries, and the Aux Sable Creek.  Preserve amenities and services include recreational trails, event venues, overnight campgrounds, picnic shelters, fishing ponds, educational programming, and horsemanship lessons.

Rob Roy Creek and Floodplain Forest

Fens in Illinois are a rare and special type of wetland that forms in areas where groundwater rich in calcium and/or magnesium seeps out of the ground. These fens are home to specialized plants that can tolerate the alkaline water.  The “Eldamain-Schaeffer Road Fen” was identified as an important ecological remnant area by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory in 1999 prior to the District’s acquisition of Subat Forest Preserve in 2001.  A floristic quality survey documented the presence of over 186 native species of plants and FQI score of 56.97.  Areas with FQI’s greater than 50 are extremely rare and are of paramount importance for conservation, as they represent less than 0.5% of the land area in the Chicago Region.  Some of the flowing perennials adapted to these conditions include Great angelica, Bristly aster, Panicled aster, Bulbous cress, Turtlehead, Marsh shield fern, Cardinal flower, Blue flag iris, and Great water dock. 

The Kendall County Forest Preserve District   is a local government agency within t  he State of Illinois dedicated to conserving natural areas and connecting people to nature.  The mission of the District is to acquire, preserve, and manage natural areas and open spaces, provide environmental education, and provide recreational opportunities for Kendall County residents.  The District currently owns 3,000 acres of land within 21-forest preserve areas.  Preserve areas are located primarily along the Fox River and its tributaries, and the Aux Sable Creek.  Preserve amenities and services include recreational trails, event venues, overnight campgrounds, picnic shelters, fishing ponds, educational programming, and horsemanship lessons.

Fen Overlook Area

Witness the transformation of 3128 Boombah Boulevard in Yorkville, Illinois, as a state-of-the-art 150,600 sq. ft. Public Works and Parks Facility takes shape. This time-lapse captures the construction of the facility, including a Salt Dome, Storage Bins, and a fuel station, highlighting the progress from groundbreaking to completion.

Nestled in Kendall County, the United City of Yorkville  embodies the perfect blend of small-town charm and convenient access to big-city amenities. With a population of 21,533, Yorkville is strategically positioned approximately 60 miles west of Chicago and benefits from a well-connected transportation network. The convergence of Illinois Highways 34, 47, 71, and 126, along with easy access to I-88, I-80, and I-55, makes Yorkville a prime destination for both residential and commercial growth. As the county seat of Kendall County—one of the fastest-growing counties in Illinois—Yorkville continues to attract new residents and businesses seeking a welcoming community with ample opportunities.

Yorkville’s appeal lies in its inviting atmosphere and the quality of life it offers to its residents. Families are drawn to the city’s safe neighborhoods, strong educational programs, and diverse recreational activities. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy cycling, canoeing, hiking, and a variety of community events, particularly during the summer months. Known as the city with a "river in its heart," Yorkville takes pride in the Fox River, which serves as a hub for outdoor adventure and relaxation. Canoeing, kayaking, and riverside picnics are weekend favorites, while Silver Springs State Park and the Hoover Education Center offer endless opportunities for exploration, biking, and family-friendly fun. Yorkville embraces its rich history while continuing to build a vibrant future for its residents and visitors.

Yorkville Public Works Facility

The central lowlands found at Subat Forest Preserve contain hydric soils and seasonally floods during wetter years.  The prairie flowers and grasses transition to a marsh habitat dominated by cattails and other wetland-dependent species like Swamp milkweed and Sweet Joe Pye weed.  This Chronolog will document the District’s efforts to contain Common reed (Phragmites australis), the most aggressive non-native species Kendall County is contending with today impacting all open wetland areas today.  Common reed forms an interconnected network of matted roots spreading by rhizomes which can grow over 10 feet in a growing season, runners which can extend 43 feet from the parent plant, and by seed.  Roots can extend over two meters below the surface, making control all the more difficult. 

The Kendall County Forest Preserve District is a local government agency within t  he State of Illinois dedicated to conserving natural areas and connecting people to nature.  The mission of the District is to acquire, preserve, and manage natural areas and open spaces, provide environmental education, and provide recreational opportunities for Kendall County residents.  The District currently owns 3,000 acres of land within 21-forest preserve areas.  Preserve areas are located primarily along the Fox River and its tributaries, and the Aux Sable Creek.  Preserve amenities and services include recreational trails, event venues, overnight campgrounds, picnic shelters, fishing ponds, educational programming, and horsemanship lessons.

Marsh Wetland Boardwalk

Bicentennial Riverfront Park is a five-acre community park on the south bank of the Fox River (131 Hydraulic Ave.). Bicentennial Riverfront Park makes optimum use of the river, with abundant fishing, plus canoe and kayak access to the white water chute. There is also a beautiful view of the Glenn Palmer Dam as you follow the trail along the river and the picnic area, playground and river-side pavilion are popular community gathering spots year round. Park features:

·        Trail


About United City of Yorkville:
Nestled in Kendall County, the United City of Yorkville  embodies the perfect blend of small-town charm and convenient access to big-city amenities. With a population of 21,533, Yorkville is strategically positioned approximately 60 miles west of Chicago and benefits from a well-connected transportation network. The convergence of Illinois Highways 34, 47, 71, and 126, along with easy access to I-88, I-80, and I-55, makes Yorkville a prime destination for both residential and commercial growth. As the county seat of Kendall County—one of the fastest-growing counties in Illinois—Yorkville continues to attract new residents and businesses seeking a welcoming community with ample opportunities.

Yorkville Bicentennial Riverfront Park

Violet Patch Park is a 4-acre passive riverfront park. Named for the violets that grow in the park, recreational activities include a picnic area, fishing opportunities, pedestrian bridge over the Fox River, and the Fox River Regional Bike Trail. The Fox River in Illinois is a prime location for birdwatching and wildlife observation. Help the Park District track the different species and their habitats along the Fox River.

Violet Patch Park

Saw Wee Kee is an 134-acre natural area park with 11 miles of wooded trails that overlook the Fox River. This floristically diverse park is a favorite hiking spot for community members and a regional draw for mountain bikers & horseback riders. Help us promote the splendor of the Fox River from this prominent vantage point.

The Oswegoland Park District is dedicated to “Creating Opportunities for a Healthy Community,” offering exceptional parks, trails, programs, and events for all ages. With over 1,300 acres of parkland and 20 miles of scenic trails, it’s “Your Place to Play”—whether you’re exploring nature, staying active, or connecting with neighbors. Learn more at www.OswegolandParkDistrict.org

Saw Wee Kee Park

You’re looking over the Waubonsie Creek and prairie area along the banks, the Virgil Gilman trail extension as well.

The Oswego Public Library District   exists to provide quality library service which will effectively meet the informational, educational, and recreational needs of district residents of all ages, with special emphasis on supplying popular materials, providing reference service, and assisting students of all ages in meeting their educational needs.

Montgomery Campus

The Kohlhammer Barn was built in 1904 by German Immigrant and carpenter Fred Kolhammer. He built this barn and his family lived in it while he built their house next door. You can see several large oaks and black walnuts along with a variety of other plants and animals.

About Oswego Public Library:
The Oswego Public Library District  exists to provide quality library service which will effectively meet the informational, educational, and recreational needs of district residents of all ages, with special emphasis on supplying popular materials, providing reference service, and assisting students of all ages in meeting their educational needs.

Kohlhammer Barn

In 2020, the Kendall County Forest Preserve District planted over 30,000 trees and shrubs, and seeded just under 60-acres with prairie seed mixes as part of the Fox River Bluffs Cropland Conversion project. 

The trees and shrubs were planted over the course of 8-work days using a tractor-pulled tree planter loaned to the District by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  The planter works to open a gap in the soil that seedlings, or whips, are pushed into before closing behind.  Once planted, the soil is pushed back into place to insure proper soil contact.  After 5-years, the seedlings are now growing taller than the surrounding vegetation.  This Chronolog will help chart the growth of these trees at Fox River Bluffs, which are helping generate revenue for the District through the sale of voluntary carbon credits.  

The Kendall County Forest Preserve District  is a local government agency within the State of Illinois dedicated to conserving natural areas and connecting people to nature.  The mission of the District is to acquire, preserve, and manage natural areas and open spaces, provide environmental education, and provide recreational opportunities for Kendall County residents.  The District currently owns 3,000 acres of land within 21-forest preserve areas.  Preserve areas are located primarily along the Fox River and its tributaries, and the Aux Sable Creek.  Preserve amenities and services include recreational trails, event venues, overnight campgrounds, picnic shelters, fishing ponds, educational programming, and horsemanship lessons.

Kendall County GIS

Illinois

14 chronologs managed by Kendall County GIS

Rob Roy Creek and Floodplain Forest

Violet Patch Park

Marsh Wetland Boardwalk

Subat Nature Center – Prairie Overlook

Downtown Oswego Campus

Fox River Bluffs Cropland Conversion

Fen Overlook Area

Saw Wee Kee Park

Montgomery Campus

Yorkville Bicentennial Riverfront Park

Waa Kee Sha Park

Winrock Park

Kohlhammer Barn

Yorkville Public Works Facility

For nature-lovers

For organizations