Shady Rest facts for kids

Shady Rest is a beautiful natural spot covering about 28 acres (11 hectares) next to the Sangamon River in White Heath, Illinois. It's a mix of river, forest, and open areas. You can find many plants and animals here. An old railroad trail also runs through it, adding to its history. It's a great place to explore nature!

History of Shady Rest

Shady Rest was once owned by the Price family. In 1985, Mrs. Price wanted to make sure this special place would stay natural. She also helped buy the old railroad path that goes through the area.

After Mrs. Price passed away in 1995, Shady Rest was bought to protect it. A group called the Sangamon Valley Conservancy (SVC) helped make this happen. They wanted the land to return to its natural state. Later, in 2006, the Piatt County Forest Preserve District created a park here. They received a grant to make it a place for fishing, canoeing, and hiking.

Exploring Nature at Shady Rest

When you visit Shady Rest, you might notice that the forest has very big trees and very small plants, but not many in-between. This shows that the area was once cleared to be a park. Now, many small plants and flowers grow on the forest floor. They look especially pretty in the spring!

Two old houses are still on a high ridge in the park. This ridge is part of the Cerro Gordo Moraine. A moraine is a hill made of rocks and dirt left behind by a glacier. Long ago, this moraine was the southern edge of a large lake. The lake eventually broke through at Shady Rest, forming the Sangamon River we see today.

The Old Rail Trail

An old Illinois Central train track, now called the Heartland Pathways trail, runs through Shady Rest. There's even a bridge and a high trestle over the Sangamon River, which is a cool sight! Shady Rest is a perfect spot to take a break if you're hiking or biking on this trail.

This trail also tells a story about railroad history. Old steam trains used to stop here to get water from the river. The Monticello Railway Museum is only about a mile away from Shady Rest. It's possible that the museum's train tracks might one day reach Shady Rest. This would let museum visitors explore the forest and this historic area.

Activities to Enjoy

In the past, Shady Rest had small cabins and places for people to camp. It was a popular spot for fun activities. Today, the cabins are gone, and the forest has grown back.

You can still enjoy many activities at Shady Rest:

• Hiking: There are trails, especially in the flood plains to the north, which are dry in summer.
• Canoeing: When the river is high, you can canoe on the Sangamon River from Mahomet all the way to Decatur.
• Nature Watching: It's a wonderful place for artists and anyone who loves being outdoors and enjoying beautiful scenery.

Shady Rest in the Community

Shady Rest is now being officially transferred from the Sangamon Valley Conservancy to the Piatt County Forest Preserve. This transfer is happening with help from a special grant. This means the Piatt County Forest Preserve will own and take care of Shady Rest forever. They will make sure it stays a natural and cultural treasure for everyone to enjoy.