Theodore Marsh and Black Road Access South

Theodore Marsh and Black Road Access South are a part of the Forest Preserve District of Will County's Rock Run Creek Preserve system. Though there are no dolomite prairies along Rock Run, the geology, topography and historic plant communities of the preserves along the creek are sufficiently similar to those of Lockport Prairie and Romeoville Prairie that these Rock Run preserves may be used as seed sources for restoration in those areas.

Located in the Cities of Crest Hill and Joliet, respectively, Theodore Marsh (top map) and Black Road Access South (bottom map) are literally surrounded by residential and commercial development. Development is so close that it gives the impression that houses have tumbled out of the subdivision and fallen into the natural area. Such close neighbors for a fire-dependent natural area pose challenges for natural area managers, but it also presents a solid opportunity for building a good relationship with a community that may become knowledgeable about and fiercely protective of the natural areas.  (Download full project description here:  Wetlands Restoration: Theodore Marsh and Black Road Access South (24.67 kB).)

Location: Gaylord Rd. about 0.5 mile north of Theodore St., Crest Hill, IL (Theodore Marsh);

Funding source: Material Service Corporation Settlement Fund (MSCSF)

Owner & land manager: Forest Preserve District of Will County (FPDWC)

Size of project site: 140 acres (Theodore Marsh); 19 acres (Black Road Access South)

Project date: 2000

Partners: Commonwealth Edison, Forest Preserve District of Will County (FPDWC), Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, Openlands (formerly CorLands), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Action: Soil analysis, fill removal, cutting and removal of shrubs and trees, follow-up treatment of herbicide on resprouts, control of invasive herbaceous species, mowing, planting of native plant seeds and plugs, and design and installation of interpretive signs.