Marsh Zone

River Bench (15)

Visible from Mill Race (Point of Interest 4) – this bench can be tricky to get to but is worth the trek! Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps between the 1930’s and 1940’s, this historic bench was built from limestone that originated from the quarry (Point of Interest 21) also within the park.  Check out the Hilltop Bench (Point of Interest 8) on the northside of the park, also built by the group almost a century ago.

Canoe/Kayak Landing (16)

With the Suspension Bridge (Point of Interest 17) arching over the Kishwaukee, this scenic area has always been a great spot to land at the end of your journey. Also used for fishing or just sitting to take in the views, this a popular spot for visitors.

Brad’s Tree (19)

Crowned the largest tree in the park, the area around this cottonwood was cleared for better viewing off of the trail. While a large limb has fallen since its discovery, its size is still notable. Photos of the tree alone just don’t do justice to show its magnitude, but we invite you to get a photo next to it to show its scale! Cottonwoods are known for getting to a large size and, as the name suggests, have fluffy, cotton-like seeds that flow in the wind in the late spring.

Marsh (20)

These wetland ecosystems act as sponges for the surrounding area, keeping water from flooding nearby forests and roads while also being an excellent habitat for semi-aquatic life including frogs, grasses, bushes, and LOTS of invertebrates! This area in the park is low-lying and doesn’t have as much tree coverage as the forest ecosystem surrounding it. Check out an arial or satellite image of the park, and you can see the tree-less, wetland area.

Founder’s 56

This 0.82-mile multi-use contour flow trail cuts through the Marsh Zone and is named after the Atwood foundation, and the year of 1956 when Seth B. Atwood donated money for the Rockford Park District to purchase the 334 acres of former Camp Grant property that is now Atwood Park. Being the closest multi-use loop to the main trailhead parking lot and being classified as an easy/beginner trail, this is a great loop to start if you a new to mountain biking. This area is also known for its spring ephemerals, such as Virginia Bluebells and Dutchman’s Breeches. This is a great trail to hike, bike, or run along to view the flowers for the short time that they are blooming!