Beginning December 18, 2023, the Sugar Grove Foundation and Funks Grove
Cemetery Association are initiating a seasonal closure of our natural areas in Funks
Grove. This includes all hiking trails on our properties and the nature play area. This
closure will serve as a much-needed period of rest for the wildlife and property to
recover from the ever-increasing level of foot traffic.
The closure will allow staff, volunteers, and contractors to perform stewardship
activities such as invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and prescribed burns.
We have additional site improvements and general repairs to complete, as well.
The property, including natural areas, picnic shelter, and the meeting room space in
the learning center may be used by school groups, field trips, researchers, or for
organized educational events including guided hikes, birdwatching, etc. If you are
interested in permission to use our properties for such an event, please email
NatureOfFunksGrove@gmail.com with your inquiry.
The property will re-open for general visitors on April 1, 2024.
Our closure does not impact visitor access to the property owned by the State of
Illinois in Funks Grove. The state property parcel lies immediately south of our
building campus. Drive all the way to the south end of 725 East Rd to find the
parking lot. Our last inquiry to the staff at Moraine View State Park indicates the trails
and parking lot are open from 8am to 10pm daily. Signage will be posted where the
State trails enter our property to notify visitors no access is permitted beyond that
point. Please note there is no RV turnaround on 725 East Rd. when our parking lot is
closed.
The Constitution Trail offers another walking opportunity in this area. The Friends of
Constitution Trail do an amazing job keeping that trail open and accessible. There
are two parking lots along the trail near Funks Grove. The south end of the trail is
near Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup. There is another parking area and pavilion near
Shirley.
The Funks Grove Church and Cemetery parking lot is available for church, chapel,
and cemetery visitors only. Dogs are not allowed on the cemetery property.
As a reminder, properties owned by the Funks Grove Cemetery Association and
Sugar Grove Foundation are private property. We reserve all rights to limit or
prohibit access with or without advanced notice. Our goal is to share this resource as
much as possible in a manner that does not degrade the natural areas of Funks
Grove.