Fort_Daniel_Conservation_Area
Fort Daniel Conservation Area is a 200-acre (0.8 km2) park located 4 miles (6.5 km) east of Mount Zion, Illinois. The land preserve protects the site of a ghost town, Whistleville. Today, the site centers on hiking and picknicking in the Big Creek watershed southeast of Decatur.[1]
Five marked trails comprise 4.5 miles (7.0 km) of hiking opportunities that cross and recross Big Creek. At the north end of the conservation area, a recreational complex includes a picnic shelter, playground, and fire ring. Tree watchers are encouraged to find and identify the sugar maples, chinquapin oaks, pawpaw, wafer ash, and Kentucky coffeetrees that grow in the conservation area. The conservation area is maintained by the Macon County Conservation District.[1]
In August 2022, a private-sector donor awarded a $2.9 million grant to the MCCD to enable a 236-acre land acquisition adjacent to the existing Area. The grant will roughly double the size of the Area.[2]
The nearest major highway is Illinois Route 121, southeast of Decatur.