Nature & Recreation Tour

Founded in 2008, the mission of Prairie Land Conservancy is to preserve wildlife habitat, open space, natural areas and sustainable agricultural land within west-central Illinois. They are a division of Prairie Hills Resource Conservation and Development.

Prairie Land Conservancy recently restored 200 acres of oak-hickory woodland and prairie preserve to create the Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary.

In 2012, Prairie Land Conservancy acquired 18 acres of the property from the Illinois Audubon Society. In 2019, Lew and Suanne Marx donated an additional 181 acres of adjoining land increasing the size of the sanctuary by ten times. Bisecting this land is Wigwam Hollow Creek that joins the protected east fork of the La Moine River. Restoration goals of this oak-hickory woodland are to manage, enhance, and create new habitat for migratory birds, declining bird species, and endangered Indiana bats.

Prairie Land Conservancy opened the sanctuary for public use in the Spring odyssey 2025. The land is conserved, in part, by funding made available as mitigation for impacts caused by the construction and maintenance of the Enbridge Pipelines, LLC, Flanagan south Pipeline. The Conservation Fund is working in partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to manage the pipeline mitigation funds as part of its Midwest Habitat Fund.

The Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary was designed to manage, enhance, and create new habitat for migratory birds, declining bird species, and endangered Indiana bats. Restoration efforts on this preserve have included removing invasive plants, timber stand improvements, re-planting native tree species, and the restoration of a prairie for bird and insect habitat.

Argyle Lake State Park has a full complement of recreational opportunities. Just 7 miles from Macomb, Colchester‘s Argyle Lake offers picnicking, camping, hiking, boating facilities, and a restaurant, all in a scenic, natural setting.

With its 93-acre lake for boating and fishing, 5 miles of rugged foot trails through luxuriant virgin forests and full-service campgrounds with 20 campsites, this heavily wooded, 1,700-acre site is the ideal place to spend a day, a weekend or longer.​​​​​​

Spring Lake Park is a public park located in Macomb. The park is home to a 230-acre spring lake, areas for camping, and three bike trails. Spring Lake is the fresh water reservoir for the city of Macomb, and is noted for superb bass fishing which annually draws several regional fishing tournaments.

Furthermore, the lake is a perfect place to hike, mountain bike, camp, lease a cabin or rent a Kayak, Canoe, Paddle Board or Pontoon Boat. You’ll also find a cross country running course. Spring Lake Park and Campgrounds’ bucolic setting is, quite simply a wonderful place for the family to get in touch with nature.

Macomb’s Lakeview Nature Center is nestled into 350 acres of pure beauty just to the east of Spring Lake Park & Campgrounds and provides a rustic and relaxing environment to host your next event. Whether you desire the great outdoors or the protection of our timber frame building for your baby shower, birthday party, or business meeting, Lakeview is a great choice to share community with some of your favorite people.

This park boasts the nation’s largest seven circuit Prairie Labyrinth. The labyrinth, which is created within and from the surrounding natural prairie vegetation, is open to the public from dawn to dusk 365 days a year and provides community outreach through guided and unguided labyrinth walks, support groups, workshops and an annual spring wellness event.

Immersed within an Oak Hickory Forest, with over 150 years of history in their roots, sits the Macomb Park District‘s Glenwood Park. Among 22 acres of rolling hills and towering trees one can enjoy the escape found by enveloping themselves in the natural calm and wonder of the outdoors.

Forgottonia’s Glenwood Park hosts a variety of opportunities that set the stage for events such as a family celebration or environmental education based school outing to a tranquil stroll through natural green space. Glenwood Park plays host to the opening nine holes of the Everwood Disc Golf course, a volleyball net, a playground, several picnic areas, the Glenwood Stone Shelter, a historic Red Rocket and several geocaches varying in size and difficulty.

With over 30 acres of naturally cultivating green space, Everly Park is a perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and grind of the day. The park boast four shelter houses fully prepared to make any picnic, celebration or special day to remember. Three of the shelters include volleyball nets. Everly is also home to the back nine holes of the Everwood Disc Golf Course.

Throughout the park one can enjoy a variety of recreation and leisure opportunities as well, including a Ball Park and Everly Pond, a two acre expanse of water stock with a variety of fish and surrounded by the park’s beautiful environmental ambiance.

Everwood Disc Golf Course offers beautiful scenery throughout a variety of holes that start tight with a moderate covering of mature trees and change in relief and obstacles, finishing with long challenging open holes making it the perfect setting for Macomb’s annual YFC Open Pro-Am Disc Golf Tournament.

Thirty-Five acres of expansive green terrain set the stage for a diverse recreational experience through the Macomb Park District’s Patton Park. Located in the southeast corner is the Jackie & Dave Thompson Dog Park. Upon further exploration of the park visitors will find the Patton Pond, the Patton Playground, Zipline, Pathways for Play® and a shelter house.

The east region embraces the energy of athletics and competition at the ball diamonds. Macomb Area Traveling Leagues: McDonough CATS, Western Illinois DAWGS, & West Central Elite bring Spring to an uproar at both diamonds.

Stretching over 80 acres of open land, Veterans Park is the largest outdoor sports complex in Macomb, Illinois. One can always find a league, event or something exciting happening at Veterans Park in the Spring through the end Fall. State of the art ball diamonds and numerous multi-use fields is not all it has to offer, Veterans Park also has a playground located, multi-use fields, full outdoor workout center, as well as over 1.7 miles of walking trails running through this beautiful park.

The Harry Mussatto Golf Course consists of 18 holes and is the primary public golf facility in the city of Macomb and is a “daily fee” course. The rolling terrain of the Lamoine River Valley provides spectacular views and elevation changes, rare for this part of Illinois.

Stadium features greet the golfer with beautifully sculpted mounds and carefully preserved forests of oaks, hickories, and cottonwoods. The Harry Mussatto Golf Course was designed by Ken Killian (ASGCA) and Dick Nugent (USGA), two of the finest golf course designers in the business and features Killian’s trademark bunkering and creative water hazards that are sure to challenge golfers of any skill levels.

Opened in 1972, the scenic course features 6,862 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72 and highlights the Oscar Champion Nine and the Eric Gleacher Nine practice areas and teaching stations which include a driving range, putting green, practice bunker, and two practice holes. The course also offers golf cart rentals, pro shop, snack bar, and clubhouse.

The course rating is 73.6 and it has a slope rating of 136.

Beautiful rolling hills make up Colchester‘s 18-hole golf Gold Hills Golf Course which features 6,070 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The course rating is 69.9 and it has a slope rating of 115. Designed by Dan Torrence, the Gold Hills golf course opened in 1963 and also features a driving range, practice putting green, and a full service bar with patio.

The 9-hole course at Twin Oaks Golf and Country Club in Blandinsville, IL features 3,004 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 35.

A shorty, but sporty 9-hole course deemed “great for beginners” by the Peoria Journal Star, Bushnell‘s Shaw Creek Golf Course is best known for its forgiving fairways. The greens are well manicured and medium in size and speed and a beautiful creek lazily flows through the hilly terrain and comes into play on three holes.

The course is sporty and will give golfers an opportunity to post some low numbers, but several holes still provide an enjoyable experience for both experienced and inexperienced golfers. Discover “Amen Corner” right here in west central Illinois.

Macomb‘s Ball Fore Family Entertainment Center has something for everyone including eight batting cages, an 18 hole mini-golf course, batting cages, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts and concessions.

And introducing in the 2024 season, Park Golf. Originating in Japan in the early 1980s, the sport consists of 18 holes with pars 3, 4 and 5. Holes are shorter in length and narrow. Park Golf plays faster than traditional golf with 18 hole rounds lasting only 50-70 minutes.

Ball Fore‘s “Park Golf” course is the newest of only three other courses of its kind in the nation!

White Pine Farm is an equine training and boarding facility located in Macomb, Il. Their quaint stables provide activities and more for beginner, novice and expert equine enthusiasts.

In addition to equine boarding for up to 23 horses, White Pine Farm offers horseback riding lessons and training, specializing in hunter jumpers, for ages six and up. Owners Loren and John Dimmitt also host an annual horse camp for children ages six-13 held in August and an October Halloween event that’s open to the public and gives children the opportunity to come out in costume and trick-or-treat with the horses.

Located in Bushnell’s Veterans Park the Public Pool was established in 1960 by members of VFW Post 1422. It is managed by members of the municipal pool board, who volunteer their time along with 6 employees. The pool opens from June through August.

This new, fully accessible Splash Park, located in Bushnell’s Veterans Park sits just north of the public swimming pool, honors the memory of Reid Brewer, a beloved local boy whose spirit inspired a $200,000 project to create a safe, fun space for children of all ages.

The Glenwood Pool, located in Macomb’s beautiful Glenwood Park, is open to the public and is a fun, safe, and affordable place where families have traditionally cooled off on hot spring and summer days for more than seven decade. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or just enjoy relaxing poolside, Glenwood Pool has something for everyone!

The City of Macomb staffs the pool with lifeguards, administration, and employees for the Snack Shack. The pool also offers Swimming Lessons, Zumba Classes, Baby-Buddy Courses and Cabanas for rent. Admission is only $2, so tell your friends and beat the summer heat with a Splashtastic visit to Glenwood Pool!

Horn Field Campus is located just one mile south of Macomb and has become the site of numerous campus events and activities over the years. The 92 acre field campus includes woodlands, prairie and several miles of nature trails. Since 1965, a number of improvements have been made to enhance the services to WIU students and surrounding community groups. In 1980 with the help of the Youth Conservation Corps, a teams course was developed. In 2001, a climbing tower was constructed, and a high ropes course was added. Each Fall Horn Field Campus features an 11-acre Corn Maze.

Horn Field Campus is available for campus and community use year round upon request and reservation.

Enveloping a Streetscape design the Dudley Skate Park mimics the natural street terrain, with elements such as stairs, railings, benches, and a fun box (a table component in the middle surrounded by ramps.) The idea behind this design is to give the Skate park an urban feel, offering a plaza style design that incorporates texture, color and the local architecture.

This skate park is the only one of its kind within a two-hour radius of Macomb. At a cost of approximately a quarter million dollars, Dudley Skate Park draws skateboarders from throughout Western Illinois.