Springbrook Prairie Trail is a 5.5-mile loop within the 1,840-acre Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville, which is in southwest DuPage County in Illinois. Walking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding are all permitted, but some segments of the trail are closed seasonally to protect critical bird-nesting areas.
The trail links to other trails, adjacent neighborhoods and Will County to the south. Within the preserve, it connects with picnic areas, two shelters, restrooms, a fenced 35-acre off-leash dog area and a model-aircraft field. (Visitors must call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 in advance to purchase permits for the off-leash area and model-aircraft field or to reserve the 50-person picnic shelter.)
Springbrook Prairie Trail follows the perimeter of the forest preserve and serves as a model for providing access to recreational amenities near ecologically sensitive habitats. Springbrook Prairie contains one of three regionally significant grassland bird communities in the state and is home to species like meadowlarks, dickcissels, grasshopper sparrows, woodcocks and bobolinks as well as state-endangered northern harriers, short-eared owls and Henslow's sparrows. In addition, a restored stretch of the namesake Spring Brook features 2 miles of meandering stream with riparian wetlands. The project received the 2009 Chicago Wilderness "Conservation and Native Landscaping Award" and the 2009 American Society of Civil Engineers - Illinois Section "Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement of the Year Under $5 Million."
A committee consisting of local agencies and a citizen advisory group consulted with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and developed the plan for Springbrook Prairie Trail.
