This preserve is situated right next to LaSalle County between the cities of Sandwich and Somonauk. Acquired as the very first forest preserve, it had been a golf course until sometime during the great depression. The woodlands, especially along Somonauk Creek, are diverse in structure and have one of the very best displays of spring flora. Skunk Cabbage, Turtlehead, Turk’s Cap Lilies and a host of other uncommon lowland plants abound. The district’s largest stand of Sycamore trees grow in Sannauk and, while not native to this region, a planting of Bald Cypress trees have persisted for several decades along the lower road. Sannauk has three enclosed and two open-air shelters, hiking trails, a playground, a sledding hill, and perhaps the most used fishing spot in the entire district – the bank of Somonauk Creek just above “Lake Holiday”. A 1.5 mile limestone trail, Somonauk Trail, connects the Village of Somonauk ( trailhead at the Somonauk Library ) to Sannauk Forest Preserve.
This preserve is situated right next to LaSalle County between the cities of Sandwich and Somonauk. Acquired as the very first forest preserve, it had been a golf course until sometime during the great depression. The woodlands, especially along Somonauk Creek, are diverse in structure and have one of the very best displays of spring flora. Skunk Cabbage, Turtlehead, Turk’s Cap Lilies and a host of other uncommon lowland plants abound. The district’s largest stand of Sycamore trees grow in Sannauk and, while not native to this region, a planting of Bald Cypress trees have persisted for several decades along the lower road. Sannauk has three enclosed and two open-air shelters, hiking trails, a playground, a sledding hill, and perhaps the most used fishing spot in the entire district – the bank of Somonauk Creek just above “Lake Holiday”. A 1.5 mile limestone trail, Somonauk Trail, connects the Village of Somonauk ( trailhead at the Somonauk Library ) to Sannauk Forest Preserve.
