Wildlife Prairie Park

Wildlife Prairie Park, also known as the Hazel & Bill Rutherford Wildlife Prairie Park, is located in Peoria County, Illinois, approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of downtown Peoria in central Illinois. Opened in the 1970s, it has most recently been operated as a not-for-profit corporation since 2013. The park has 1,800 acres (730 ha) of land with over 150 animals of 60 different species that are native to Illinois.

Wildlife Prairie Park
Bison and rolling prairie near observation deck
Location in Illinois
Location in United States
Wildlife Prairie Park (the United States)
LocationPeoria County, Illinois
Nearest cityNorwood, Illinois
Coordinates40°44′N 89°44′W
Area1,700 acres (6.9 km2)
OwnerFriends of Wildlife Prairie Park
Websitewildlifeprairiepark.org

The park offers several recreational activities including fishing, train ride, camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, and more. Some of the wildlife includes white bison,[1] wolves, waterfowl, black bears, elk, otters, badgers, snakes, bobcats and more. Many of the park's artificial elements were constructed by hand and with recycled materials in an effort to reduce their negative environmental effects years before it was commonplace to safeguard the environment.[2] The bricks on the visitor center patio and train depot, the repurposed whiskey barrels as trash cans, the resawn wood used in the buildings, and the numerous telephone poles used in the gates and bridges around the park are all made of recycled materials. The habitats and bridges are largely hand-built. This practice has extended to on-site lodging, where guests can stay overnight in converted Santa Fe Train Cabooses and former grain bins. On-site accommodation includes contemporary cabins with porches facing the bison and elk pastures, one-room log cottages, and patios facing Caboose Lake.

The Forest Park Foundation first acquired the area in the late 1960's. Wildlife Prairie Park initially welcomed visitors in September 1977 before becoming open to the public on a more permanent basis in 1978.[3] In 2001, it was transferred from private foundation ownership to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and renamed Wildlife Prairie State Park. The Park was officially returned to private hands in May 2013 when it was given to a group of community members known as Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park.[4][5] The land was officially reclaimed in 2014.

  • Ernest the Elk
  • Ernest at the Vista Bricks ceremony site
  • Campfire at night
  • Eagle
  • Hawk
  • Fishing area on the "west side" section

References
  1. Renken, Leslie (October 4, 2022). "A rare white bison dies unexpectedly at Wildlife Prairie Park". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  2. "Hazel & Bill Rutherford Wildlife Prairie State Park | Oh, Ranger!". www.ohranger.com. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  3. "The History". Hanna City, Illinois: Wildlife Prairie Park. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  4. Wildlife Prairie Park Facebook post, May 11, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  5. "An Act concerning property." (P.A. 98-0013), approved May 13, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
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