Gensburg-Markham Prairie

Location and Access: From I-57 go east on US 6 (159th St.) past Kedzie Avenue to Whipple Street. From I-294 go west of US 6 (159th St.) to Whipple St. Turn north on Whipple, which deadends at the Gensburg Prairie.

Owner: The Nature Conservancy (312/346-8166), Northeastern Illinois University, and the Natural Land Institute.
Size: More than 100 acres

Description: One of a cluster of four prairies making up the Indian Boundary Prairies. An old beach ridge runs to the northwest through the prairie. Indian grass, little bluestem and big bluestem are common with cord grass, bluejoint grass and sedges found in the wetter swales. More than 250 species of plants thrive here and at the other three prairie sites.

Information from the The Nature Conservancy (312/346-8166)

Indian Paintbrush Prairie

Location and Access: From I-57 or I-294, go west to Pulaski (also known as Crawford). Go north on Pulaski to 155th Street. Turn left on Millard St., which deadends at the Indian Paintbrush Prairie.

Owner: The Nature Conservancy (312/346-8166), Northeastern Illinois University, and the Natural Land Institute.
Size: 60 acres

Description: One of a cluster of four prairies making up the Indian Boundary Prairies. This prairie is named for the Indian paintbrush plant.

Information source: The Nature Conservancy (312/346-8166)

Sundrop Prairie

Location and Access: From I-57 or I-295 go east on US 6/159th St. to Pulaski (also known as Crawford). Go north to 151st St. Turn east on 151st, which deadends at the prairie (and a school parking lot). The prairie is to the north and east from the deadend.

Owner: The Nature Conservancy (312/346-8166), Northeastern Illinois University, and the Natural Land Institute.
Size: 80 acres

Description: One of a cluster of four prairies making up the Indian Boundary Prairies. This prairie includes the endangers small sundrop plant. It is enjoyable to visit because its tree-lined border screens out civilization and gives a glimpses of what the original landscape looked like.

Information source: The Nature Conservancy (312/346-8166)

Dropseed Prairie

Location and Access: Located north of US 6/159th Street with access from Homan Ave. From I-57 go east on US 6 to Homan; from I-294 go west on US 6. Go north on Homan -- access to the prairie is on the west side of the street, just north of 157^th St.

Owner: The Nature Conservancy (312/346-8166), Northeastern Illinois University, and the Natural Land Institute.
Size: 12 acres

Description: One of a cluster of four prairies making up the Indian Boundary Prairies.
Named for the beautiful fountain-like grass which grows in profusion here.

Information source: The Nature Conservancy (312/346-8166)

Search Key to the City Custom Search

or Search anywhere on the Web Custom Search

Return to the City of Markham page on Key to the City
Choose another city in Illinois.
Choose a new state on the States page
Return to the Top USA City Resource Guide and Cities Directory - Key to the City home page

This page was last updated on 16 July 2012 at 4:09 pm

Thanks for dropping by. Be sure to come back soon!!