Spring Creek Reservoir by Patricia Hayden
This month I visited Spring Creek Reservoir in Bloomingdale which offers a looped trail around the reservoir as well as an up-close look at the spillway controlling the flow of water into the reservoir. This site also offers the opportunity to fish and picnic.
Spring Creek Reservoir in Bloomingdale is on the north side of Lake Street between Medinah Road and Glen Ellyn Road. When you turn in from Lake Street, it is a short drive to the parking lot. Parking is free and there are handicapped spots available as well as nearby restrooms, benches, and site information.
The asphalt trail (sealed in October 2023) is a 1.2 mile loop around the reservoir. The smooth trail has a gentle grade which makes it very accessible for walkers, runners, bikers, inline skaters, wheelchairs, and strollers.
As my walk began, I immediately spotted the gated chute spillway that controls the flow of water from Spring Brook into the reservoir. A small bridge spans over the spillway, so you’re able to get an up-close look at both sides of the spillway as you walk the trail.
It was very pleasant walking around the reservoir (constructed on the site of an abandoned gravel quarry), though there is not much shade on the trail so I was glad to be there on a cool day. I noted several benches along the trail as well as many planes overhead going to and from O’Hare Airport.
Much of the plant life was still matted down from the winter, but I did spot Honey locust, Eastern red cedar, Common evening-primrose, and Green ash.
More information about the site can be found here.
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.