You might call it a suburban oasis, a Metro Park that brings nature to your backdoor. Blacklick Woods is where the park district started in 1948. The original 112 acres have grown to 632, a mosaic of grassland, forest, wetland and seasonal swamp.
Swampland occurs when a layer of clay holds water on the forest floor.
It's a feature that developed 12,000 years ago, when the melting Wisconsin Glacier left behind very fine soils. The preserve has also been designated a National Natural Landmark. Visitors can tour the swamp forest on an elevated boardwalk, or bike along a four mile trail that weaves through woodland and open field. Along the way, you might spy a red fox sizing up a meadow vole meal, or a white-tailed deer browsing before sundown. But if you miss them in the field, then go try your luck at the nature center's indoor wildlife viewing area.