Centralia Foundation Park
RESTORED PRAIRIE
The Restored Prairie is located on eight acres of land to the west of the Centralia Cultural Society at 1230 East Rexford Street.
In the spring of 1989, planting began on the Prairie Restoration. The grasses and forbes found in the priaire were chosen from those native to our region of Illinois. A one-third mile path winds through the prairie with a tree shaded bench in the center that offers the hiker a place to sit and enjoy the view.
The Prairie offers a continually changing display of native plants. Spring-with the start of new sprouts, summer-when the flowers are in bloom, and fall-when the grasses (Big Bllue Stem and Indian), can grow to heights fo 6 feet and more. The prairie also provides food and shelter to a variety of wildlife such as rabbits, quail and red fox.
Historically, fire was a natural part of life for our native woodlands, wetlands, and prairies. Ecosystems native to the Midwest require such burns to clear away lasts years dried thatch,rejuvenate growth, ensure long-term survival, and most importantly, control invasive plants to assure diversity within the prairie ecosystem. The Restored Prairie undergoes an annual controlled burn in late winter when the season and weather allow.
 Restored PrairieEntrance sign visable from East Rexford Stree. |  Prairie Information ShelterThe Restored Prairie informational shelter shows examples of plants growing in the prairie. A center bench makes a quiet reprise after walking the path or to sit and enjoy a sack lunch. |
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 PURPLE CONEFLOWERPurple coneflower is the common name for the Echinichia plant. Click on the photo above for a link to more information about this prairie native. |  BLAZING STARBlazing Star is the common name for the Liatris plant. Click on the photo above for a link to more information about this prairie native. prairie native. |
 Rattlesnake MasterRattlesnake Master, the common name for a prairie plant knowm as the Eryngium yuccifolium Click on the photo above for a link to more information about this prairie native. |  PRAIRIE FALSE INDIGOPrairie False Indigo is the common name for the Baptista lacteal plant. Click on the photo above for a link to more information about this prairie native. |
 Partridge PeaPartridge Pea is the common name for the , Chamaecrista fasciculate plant. Click on the photo above for a link to more information about this prairie native. |  Black Eyed SusanBlack Eyed Susan is the common name for the Rudbeckia hurt plant. Click on the photo above for a link to more information about this prairie native. |
 CoreopsisCoreopsis tinctoria, the full name for this plant click on the photo for a link to learn more about this prairie native. |  PRAIRIE BURNPark Superintendent, David Sachtleben uses a drop torch to start the prairie's controlled burn in late winter. |
 PRAIRIE CONTROLLED BURNWatching over the fire. |  PRAIRIE CONTROLLED BURN |
 PRAIRIE CONTROLLED BURNCentralia City water tower visible in background. |  PRAIRIE CONTROLLED BURN |
 THE PRAIRIE BURNThe blackened ground in the distance shows prairie ground post-fire. |  THE PRAIRIE BURNThe blackened ground in the distance shows prairie ground post-fire. |
 THE PRAIRIE BURNThe blackened ground in the distance shows prairie ground post-fire. |  PRAIRIE INFORMATIONAL SHELTERThe blackened ground in the distance shows prairie ground post-fire. |