Paula Swanson

Located in Durand, Illinois along the Sugar River, this 88-acre parcel is an area of great natural resource value with high-quality wetland and river frontage habitats. The large wetland is lined with buttonbush, native sedges, and other emergent aquatic vegetation, and supports an abundance of wildlife diversity, including waterfowl, wading birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. There are also many smaller pothole wetlands throughout the property that support intact native plant communities. Acreage currently in row-crop agriculture will be restored to prairie and woodland habitats.

Currently, there are 0.7 miles of maintained walking trails at Paula Swanson Forest Preserve. Additional trails will likely be created once the land is out of agriculture, but a length and route have not yet been established. Parking is available along the road, but please do not block the entrance gate to the preserve.

River access is one of the many unique features of Paula Swanson Forest Preserve. The stretch of riverbank that can be accessed at the preserve is being maintained for shore fishing. A launch for carry-on watercraft at the northeast corner of the preserve is anticipated to be developed once the entrance of the property is out of agriculture.

The purchase of this property from the McKee family was made possible in part by a generous donation from Paula Swanson.