Songbird Slough Forest Preserve
Location
The entrance is located on the west side of Mill Road about one-half mile south of Irving Park Road and three-quarters mile north of Lake Street (Route 20).
Activities and Facilities
A parking lot and portable washrooms are located at the turnaround of Songbird Slough and there is a 50-person capacity reservable shelter and picnic tables in the picnic area. Reservations can be made through District headquarters weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., by mail or by phone (with VISA or Masterdacrd) at (630) 933-7248, and must be made at least three business days in advance.
Hikers and bicyclists can utilize the one-and-one-quarter-mile paved road in the preserve, but presently there are no nature trails or footpaths. Anglers can try their luck with the fish that live in the 14-acre lake or the 3.1-acre pond. Please obey fishing restricted area.
Preserve History
Songbird Slough, formerly Campbell Slough, was acquired in portions from 1976 through 1980 as part of the Forest Preserve District's land acquisition program. Part of the purchase was funded through an Illinois Department of Conservation grant. The 391-acre preserve is a part of a large glacial kettle formation that is the low point for a 1,000-acre watershed that drains the surrounding urban area.
From 1985 to 1987, additional storm water development took place in the area with the Illinois Toll Authority imported wetland soil to the area during the construction of I-355. The wetland soil was moved as part of a wetland mitigation project that requires builders to create new wetlands when old ones are destroyed or drained as part of a development project. The wetland soils are utilized as a seed bank for native plant species which grow in the slough area. The slough and lake within the preserve now provide valuable habitat for many unique native plant and animal species.
Accessibility
For special accessibility needs or concerns, please contact the District's ADA coordinator at (630) 933-7683 or TTY (800) 526-0857 at least three business days in advance of your visit.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5000, Wheaton, IL 60189-5000
email: forest@dupageforest.com (630) 933-7200 Fax: (630) 933-7204 TTY: (800) 526-0857