Pioneer Park Forest Preserve by Patricia Hayden
You’ll find the entrance to the Pioneer Park Forest Preserve on the east side of Washington Street about .25 mile north of Hobson Road. When you turn into the entrance, you’ll see a good-sized lot with available handicapped parking. Exiting my car, I saw an “Information” sign as well as washroom facilities and a small picnic shelter.
As I started my walk on the smooth, paved trail, I saw a sign about the Oak Woodland Restoration that took place at the site. I continued a short distance on the trail and came to a split where I could go left or right. I chose right and began my walk.
The weather was good the day I was there and I saw several bikers, walkers, and runners on the trail which is part of the DuPage River Trail – you can see the west branch of the DuPage River as you walk the trail. During my walk I saw a beautiful field of Butterweed, some purple and white Dame’s rocket, as well as Honeysuckle, Ash and Pine trees – and of course the Oaks.
Fishing is allowed at the site with smallmouth and largemouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish being common finds. Note you must carry a valid Illinois fishing license in order to fish at this site.
During my walk, I saw several benches along the way to take a rest and enjoy the scenery. In addition there is a sign for the first gristmill in Illinois north of Peoria – this is where farmers would bring their crops to be ground into flour for market. A little further along the trail I saw another picnic shelter – this brick shelter is larger and older than the one right by the trail entrance. At this point I turned around and made my way back to my starting point. I will plan to return to the site in the future and head left on the trail to see those sites.
More information about the site can be found here: https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/pioneer-park.
This post is part of the “Take a Hike” series by Patricia Hayden. To learn more about this blog and see information about all other featured hikes click here.
To make it even more fun, we’re launching the Take-A-Hike Challenge!
The challenge is open to everyone. From May through October 2025, simply take the month’s featured hike whenever your schedule allows. Capture a photo of one of the points of interest mentioned in that month’s column, then either:
Post your photo on the Greater DuPage Wild Ones Facebook page, or
Email it to [email protected].
Each hike you complete will be recorded in our challenge log. All participants will be recognized at our Seed Exchange in November!
We hope this inspires you to lace up your shoes, hit the trails, and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.