Places to Explore • Illinois
Wildflowers, shallow water, and wildlife along Channahon’s Daryl Cole Trail Network.
Explore 59 photographs from Brian’s visits to the place he knew from the roadside “Prairie Wetland” sign.
Prairie Wetland is the official name used by Channahon Park District and the Village of Channahon. The Village’s comprehensive plan lists it as a 55-acre natural area associated with Community Park.
It lies just east of I-55, between the I&M Canal corridor and McClintock Road. The Daryl Cole Trail Network winds through the wetland and connects with Community Park and the canal trail.
Brian’s photographs show spring pools, summer wildflowers, deer, turtles, monarchs, and birds using the wet ground. The interpretive signs add another layer to the walk, with stories about wetland habitat and the landscape’s past.
Look for Prairie Wetland and the Daryl Cole Trail Network on the west side of Community Park in Channahon. The map link below marks the eastern trail connection near the interpretive signs.
Use the Park District’s map to plan your approach through Community Park.
The photographed trail sign lists the Frog Loop (0.5 mile), Bird Loop (0.75 mile), and Fox Loop (1.15 miles). Open the trail-map photograph for the route layout.
These distances come from the sign in Brian’s archive; follow current signs and conditions when visiting.
Locate the Trail ConnectionOfficial Park District MapView Trail Map & Signs
Open water in spring, grassy paths, and shaded stretches give this small natural area several different moods.
7 photographs • Select a photo to open the slideshow.
Shorebirds at the water’s edge, deer in the greenery, basking turtles, and monarchs visiting flowers—all photographed during Brian’s visits.
13 photographs • Select a photo to open the slideshow.
Small spring flowers give way to tall summer stems and late-season color. These photographs include flowers along the wetland, open trails, and wooded edges.
19 photographs • Select a photo to open the slideshow.
A closer look at the shapes and textures among the flowers.
6 photographs • Select a photo to open the slideshow.
The photo collection also includes non-native plants such as teasel, multiflora rose, yellow iris, and sweet clover.
9 photographs • Select a photo to open the slideshow.
Brian’s photographs of the park’s signs introduce the trail network, wetland wildlife, flowers, and the area’s floodplain history. Open a photo to read it at a larger size.
5 photographs • Select a photo to open the slideshow.
Location and naming: Village of Channahon comprehensive plan and Channahon Park District. Trail connections: Openlands’ Community Park Wetland Bank project summary. Loop distances and interpretive information come from the park signs photographed by Brian.