Bennett's Terraqueous Garden - Fondulac (East Peoria), IL - Municipal Parks and Plazas on Waymarking.com

My aunt stopped at this location to show me the little preserve on the side of the east bluffs to the Illinois River. When I read the sign, I had imagined some kind of signed nature trail with maintained plots to show wild fauna, similar to a place near Boston where I am from. However, what I found was much more primitive, but very special as a modest wild parcel by more civilized (developed) ones.

Bennett's Terraqueous Gardens was given to the Fon du Lac Park District by John Bennett. The park was dedicated in 1990, according to the Ill. Dept. of Natural Resources' web site (visit link) (I did not find much information about this park at the Fon du Lac Park District site included below). The trail, dedicated in 1981, is named after Irene Cull, who was a noted local botanist who photographed and cataloged over 3,000 wildflowers in the area.

There is a sign near the entrance that states that this park has also been "formally dedicated as a sanctuary for native plants and animals" by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.

The park is just off US 150 on Access Road 6. You can get there by turning onto Centennial Road then immediately taking your first right onto Access Road 6, then traveling about 1/2 mile south to the entrance on the left; or by turning onto Access Road 6 opposite Mariners Way and following the road about 1/10 mile to the entrance on the right. There is no formal parking spaces; just park along the road.

The trail from the entrance is a wide gravel road. Not far in you will have a decision to either turn left toward the seep or right toward the pond.

The seep trail is an easy walk of about 100 feet to an observation deck. From here, you have a view of the fauna and the seep itself. Far from an image of gardens, the plants here are left for nature to cultivate. Birds pass through and chat, and the water from the seep was clearly visible (it was September at the time of visit).

The pond trail is a more challenging walk, and we did not complete it. We did encounter a snake that was sunning itself across the trail. It was later identified as a Bull Snake.

Though the park is too close to US 150 to be considered secluded, it is a nice stop if you need to stretch your legs.

Name: Bennett's Terraqueous Gardens Street Location: Access Road 6, off US 150 Local Municipality: East Peoria village of Fon du Lac State/Province, etc.: Illinois Country: United States Web Site: [Web Link] Memorial/Commemoration: John Bennett donated the park. Irene Cull Trail is dedicated to a local botanist. Date Established: 1990 Picnic Facilities: There is an observation deck, little else known. Recreational Facilities: None. Monuments/Statues: Irene Cull Trail plaque. Art (murals/sculpture, etc.): None. Fountains: None. Ponds/Lakes/Streams/Rivers/Beach: Pond (unnamed). Special Events: None known. Traditional Geocaches: One geocache is known, GCG13V, Tour de Fondulac #3, that highlights the park.

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