Amôwa Forest Preserve West Entrance

"This is actually a really cute place! It's a little early in it's development so it's not perfect but it'll be interesting to come back in like a year or two and see what's changed or been improved, especially with the ecosystem at the park. Portions if the trail follow a stream and there may be mosquitos! Lots of 'em! Be ready! Trails aren't perfect but they are there. See photos. There is one restroom, a porta-potty. No running water or trash cans on site so be prepared for that."

"Appears to be a newer park. A beautiful place to view Native midwest plants."

"The trails aren't very well defined and aren't mapped or marked. I'm not sure if they still have work to do or if they're relying on foot/bike traffic to finish the job. They follow a stream and climb a bluff but aren't overly steep. Should be a good spot for a quick walk through the woods when it's more established."

"Trails aren't marked and no maps yet. You can tell the park is just recently made with construction evidence - give it some time to look more inviting and natural. Could use some trash cans and also something about the purpose/phase of the project. If the idea is to have no trail markings and whole area open to explore, then that should be communicated. Variety of trees and I'm looking forward to seeing mushrooms along the creeks- still ferns in January. Mostly dormant, but did hear a woodpecker trilling. From the south lot, did a quick out and back - I'll be looking for a loop next time. Promising, but also kind of noisy with no leaves on the trees - we heard the freeway and also home construction."

"Is this Forest Preserve open? Are people supposed to go in it? On the county website it lists trails and hiking as activities here. We didn't see any trails, however we did follow the many tread paths left by the machinery clearing growth. They didn't go far or lead to anything. As a Forest Preserve we are lucky to have it. But as of this early October in 2023, it does not seem to be a place for people to visit. To do any walking a person would have to trample the prairie area, or stomp through the undergrowth in the forest. That's really the opposite of preservation. The parking lot is very nice though."