A broad wet soil valley occupies the stem center and then rising thirty feet again to the north is a gently sloping morainal ridge. The western forty-acre extension holds a mature woodland with any large Oak trees and a diverse assortment of native shrubs. The herbaceous flora has been severely reduced from heavy grazing thirty to forty years ago. Most of the stem area, except for a razed farmstead and a lone metal corn crib, has been cropped and now is covered with mostly volunteer weeds, which have succeeded to the more conservative grasses and clovers. Along the north side of the farmstead slope is a small collection of Forest Preserve nursery plantings of Red Pine and Pin Oak and a mowed model airplane ring.

 

A one hundred foot Commonwealth Edison R.O.W. with tall steel poles runs along the entire east boundary; to the north lie several low wet fields and then the expressway; on the west is more farm land, Lake Run draining Nelson Lake, and then the south branching expressway; on the south, beyond Hankes Road, lie a mixture of woodlands, fields and scattered residences.
 
This preserve is an approved off-leash dog area.  All follow all Rules and Regulations regarding use of these areas. 

 

Aurora West is located between Galena Boulevard and Rt. 56 on Hankes Road in Aurora.