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 Whispering
Willows Park
1451 N. 4000 E Road
Kankakee, IL 60901
(815) 933-9905
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The Bourbonnais Township Park District is proud to announce the 120+ acre addition to the Bourbonnais Township parks. Located east of Bradley, Illinois, Whispering Willows Park features limestone trails circling open prairies, interpretive gardens, two ponds and the Willowhaven Interpretive Center.
A wide variety of wildlife can be found in the park. White tail deer, ring-necked pheasant, coyote and raccoons are abundant. Many bird species nest in the park including waterfowl, songbirds and red tail hawks. The ponds are home to many fish species including bass, crappie and bluegill; as well as, frogs, toads, turtles and many types of waterfowl are found in and around the ponds. |
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Park Rules
To preserve its natural setting, no motorized vehicles other than Park District maintenance equipment are allowed on the trails. Also there is no fishing, swimming, horseback riding, boating or camping in the park. |
Whispering Willows Park History
In 1999, the Bourbonnais Township Park
District accepted a donation of seventy acres from family of Roman
"Smitty" Smietanski. The donated land was at one time use for agricultural purposes before it was converted to a more natural setting to attract wildlife. It was the wish of the Smietanski Family that the donated property, formerly known as Roman's Willowhaven, be kept as natural as possible.
Shortly after the acquisition of the Smietanski property, sixty-one acres of land
was purchased adjacent the the Smietanski land. Whispering Willows Park
was created on these two properties.
Development of the park was done through 3-D Design, Inc.who created the trails and interpretive gardens featured in the park. Preservation Trades, Inc. took over the project of creating a nature center on the site by restoring a 1900s antique barn that was donated from the Folker family
in Iowa to create the Willowhaven Interpretive Center. The doors of the Interpretive Center opened
in July 2006.
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Whispering Willows Wildlife
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Blue Wing Teal Duck (male)
(Anas discors )
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Imperial Moth
(Eacles imperialis)
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Eastern Garter Snake
(Thamnophis sirtalis)
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Question Mark Butterfly
(Polygonia interrogationis)
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Ebony Jewelwing
(Calopteryx maculata)
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Viceroy Butterfly
(Limenitis archippus)
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Eastern Gray Treefrog
(Hyla versicolor) |
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Common Snapping Turtle
(Chelydra serpentina) |
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The wetlands and ponds of the Whispering Willows Parks are a natural invitation to wildlife.
Spring is the best time of the year to catch glimpses of migrating waterfowl like Northern Shovelers, Blue-wing teals and Hooded Mergansers. You can also catch Snapping and Painted turtles along the trails as they dig nests.
Summer brings out the pond life like Bull Frogs, Crayfish, Common White Dragonflies, Great Blue Herons and Green Herons.
Conservation
The Whispering Willows Park has wetland and prairie open spaces that are in need of restoration. If you are interested in helping to restore these natural areas please contact the Bourbonnais Township Park District at (815) 955-9905.
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