This Forest Preserve In Illinois Is One Of America's Most Incredible Dark Sky Parks
By Melissa Mahoney|Published December 27, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
There’s nothing like staring into the night sky and seeing the Milky Way above, our eyes transfixed on something that’s bigger than all of us. While there are numerous areas to see the night sky clearly, there is only one place designated as an official Dark Sky Park in Illinois. For those of us who enjoy stargazing, a trip to Middle Fork River Forest Preserve in Penfield is a must.
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve is a 1,702-acre park filled with woodlands, wetlands, meadows, grassland, and prairies that are in the process of being restored. It is located in Penfield just two hours away from Chicago in the Champaign-Urbana area.
The Middle Fork River runs through the preserve and several ponds can be found throughout. It's a popular place for hiking, fishing, bird watching, and wildlife viewing.
In 2018, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve was given the designation as the first Dark Sky Park in the State of Illinois by the International Dark-Sky Association. It is the only park with this distinction in the state.
So, how did this forest preserve become certified as a Dark Sky Park in Illinois? The Champaig-Urbana Astronomical Society lobbied to change the street lighting and created stargazing programs at the preserve.
With a bit of work and a focus on protecting the night skies, over time, it achieved all the requirements to become a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association. Today, visitors can view the night sky like they've never seen it before in Illinois!
If you want to spend more than just a few hours here at Middle Fork, the Harry L. Shwartz Campground is open from April 1 through the last week of October each year. What better way to take in the night sky at this Dark Sky Park than to sleep under the stars?
Have you seen the dark skies at Middle Fork River Forest Preserve yet? Let us know in the comments! To plan your visit to this dark sky park in Illinois, visit the Champaign County Forest Preserve District website and Facebook page.
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