Foliage reports [and a glance out the window] show fall colors are beginning to pop across Central Illinois, though various resources disagree on the best day to witness autumn in all its glory.
Explore Fall, an aggregate resource tracking foliage across the country, predicts Nov. 3 will be the best day for fall colors, putting this year’s estimate just a few days behind last year. But according to Illinois’ Fall Colors Trip Planner, a resource of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Central Illinois could be well past peak leaf peeping by then. IDNR’s tracker puts the best chance for fall colors as early as next week.
The colors themselves, according to IDNR, depends on the variety of tree. Shades of yellow appear on walnut, hickory, elm, hackberry, mulberry, silver maple, box elder and Osage orange trees.
Crimson hues show up on sugar and red maple trees, plus sumac, sassafras, dogwood and Virginia creeper.
Sassafras can be a wildcard, though, also displaying yellow and orange leaves.
As for the best spots to see these fall colors, that is in the eye of the beholder. Nevertheless, here are just a few suggestions for soaking up fall beauty by foot or by car.
Comlara Park: Located about 15 minutes northwest of Bloomington-Normal, the park surrounding Evergreen Lake has ample benches for reflection and admiring trees lining the perimeter of the lake. The pavilion closest to the entrance is named for a row of mature Osage orange trees, one of the park’s pride and joys, as trees go.
Lake Bloomington: One of the pull-off spots along Lampe Lane along Lake Bloomington in Hudson is close to a reliably serene one-mile path that, in a relatively short distance, spans forest and open prairie as walkers circumnavigate ParkLands Foundation’s Moon Preserve. Lampe Lane itself is also a superb scenic drive, even if you never get out of your car, with lake vistas peeping through on one side of the car and very little evidence of the private homes nearby.
Constitution Trail: Though the trail system cutting through the hearts of Bloomington and Normal took a hit during this summer’s storms, much of its canopy is in tact and starting to show its fall colors. Every day there’s more of the Haunted Trail going up, too [and, if you’re paying attention, Big Foot looming year round].
The quads: For about a week every year, the quads of both Twin City universities are some of Bloomington-Normal’s stunning spots for fall colors. Don’t think you have to be a student of either to enjoy them.
Benjaminville: A genuine ghost town in western McLean County contains an empty Quaker meeting house and cemetery — and that’s all. The site is mostly surrounded by acres of row crop agriculture, but a few strategically placed trees along Benjaminville’s “city limits” are supremely gorgeous this time of year.
West Park: From above, the 60-acre forest preserve located just north of LeRoy [where there was once a Kickapoo settlement] is like a postage stamp of greenery surrounded by corn. In the fall, though, West Park’s walking paths are awash with sienna hues.
Don’t leave out: Ewing Park, Merwin Nature Preserve or Merwin View State Park for a crunchy walk in the woods. And of course, Sugar Grove Nature Center’s maples are a favorite for many. And finally, hear me out: Interstate 74. The route to Peoria is at its prettiest this time of year. As McLean County’s flatness gives way to rolling hills, the auburn trees showing off along the highway are genuinely beautiful.
