The James Pate Phillip State Park in Bartlett  Illinois is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. This 501-acre park is named after a Republican Politician, and the primary goal of this state park is to “preserve the remnant pieces and to restore the ecosystems to support the highest possible level of biodiversity”. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has worked tirelessly with the Forest Preserve District to manage and maintain the park.

When you first visit this state park, you might wonder what the area’s specific feature is, but unlike other state parks, James Pate Phillip State Park was predominantly farmland. The preserve features tallgrass prairie and wetlands, creating an incredible habitat home to the white-tailed deer, beavers, snapping turtles, sandhill cranes, yellow-headed blackbirds and warblers. Around 30 acres of this land have also been designated as the Dwarf Bur-Reed Marsh Land and Water Reserve by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission to provide the area with extra protection.

The preserve is open daily from one hour after sunrise to one hour after sunset. Apart from some designated areas like the Dwarf Bur-Reed Marsh Land and Water Reserve, you can do several recreational activities. On most trails, you can walk, jog, bike, or cross-country ski in the winters. Dogs are allowed; however, according to the rules and regulations of the park, they must be on leashes under 10 feet long and stay on the trail that circles the land and water reserve.

James Pate Philip State Park also features a large pavilion with 12 picnic tables and can accommodate up to 200 people. However, reservations over 100 require special approval.  This area can be rented for private events like birthdays or family barbeques. However, these events cannot have amplified sound without a sound permit from the Village of Bartlett, and alcohol, inflatable houses, etc., are not permitted. Special permission can be obtained for alcohol in some cases if the Dram Shop Liquor Insurance is obtained. This area is also ADA accessible, ensuring that all guests get an equally wonderful experience of the amenities provided by the James Pate Philip State Park.

When you visit James Pate Philip State Park, you should remember that even if you don’t see the usual special features of state parks, the work being done to encourage this land’s transformation will give outdoor enthusiasts plenty to ponder about. The visitor center at the park also highlights this gradual transformation.

Bartlett Aquatic Center
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