Wildlife Prairie Park
 | This article contains promotional content. (March 2021) |
| Wildlife Prairie Park | |
|---|---|
 Bison and rolling prairie near observation deck | |
| Location | Peoria County, Illinois |
| Nearest city | Norwood, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 40°44′N 89°44′W / 40.733°N 89.733°W |
| Area | 1,700 acres (6.9 km2)[citation needed] |
| Owner | Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park |
| Website | wildlifeprairiepark |
Wildlife Prairie Park, also known as the Hazel & Bill Rutherford Wildlife Prairie Park, is located in Peoria County, Illinois, approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of downtown Peoria in central Illinois. Opened in the 1970s, it has most recently been operated as a not-for-profit corporation since 2013. The park has 1,800 acres (730 ha) of land with over 150 animals of 60 different species that are native to Illinois.
Fishing, riding the train, camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, and other activities are available in the park. Some of the wildlife includes white bison,[1] wolves, waterfowl, black bears, elk, otters, badgers, snakes, bobcats and more. Many of the park's artificial elements were constructed by hand and with recycled materials in an effort to reduce their negative environmental effects years before it was commonplace to safeguard the environment.[2] The bricks on the visitor center patio and train depot, the repurposed whiskey barrels as trash cans, the resawn wood used in the buildings, and the numerous telephone poles used in the gates and bridges around the park are all made of recycled materials. The habitats and bridges are largely hand-built. This practice has extended to on-site lodging, where guests can stay overnight in converted Santa Fe Train Cabooses and former grain bins. On-site accommodation includes contemporary cabins with porches facing the bison and elk pastures, one-room log cottages, and patios facing Caboose Lake.[3][citation needed]
The Forest Park Foundation first acquired the area in the late 1960s. Wildlife Prairie Park initially welcomed visitors in September 1977 before becoming open to the public on a more permanent basis in 1978.[4] In 2001, it was transferred from private foundation ownership to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and renamed Wildlife Prairie State Park. In May 2013, the park was officially transferred back into private ownership when it was given to a group of locals known as Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park.[5][6] The land was officially reclaimed in 2014.[citation needed][7]
Photo gallery
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Ernest the Elk -
Ernest at the Vista Bricks ceremony site -
Campfire at night -
Eagle -
Hawk -
Fishing area on the "west side" section
References
- ^ Renken, Leslie (October 4, 2022). "A rare white bison dies unexpectedly at Wildlife Prairie Park". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "Hazel & Bill Rutherford Wildlife Prairie State Park | Oh, Ranger!". www.ohranger.com. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ "Lodging". Wildlife Prairie Park. Wildlife Prairie Park. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ "Our Story". Wildlife Prairie Park. Wildlife Prairie Park. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ Wildlife Prairie Park Facebook post, May 11, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ "An Act concerning property." (P.A. 98-0013), approved May 13, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ^ Koonce, Tanya. "Wildlife Prairie Park is again locally owned". WCBU. WCBU. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
External links
- Wildlife Prairie Park — official website
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