Greenspace North-Schon Park Hike

Hike by a pond then down through the woods to a creek ending at the Nickel Plate Trail in Greenspace North and Schon Park in Glen Carbon, Ill.

This is a 2.3-mile hike on a paved trail that has a large hill with 144 feet of elevation gain. It took me about 52 minutes to complete.

I walked the trail system that goes through the full name Ray M. Schon Memorial Park and Greenspace North.

At the Trailhead

I parked in the main lot for Ray M. Schon Park (Full Name) off Glen Carbon Road. You can also park in a second lot along Glen Carbon Road further south that starts in Greenspace North Park.

Next, I headed to the middle of the lot heading to a cement path to the left of a playground. I headed west on this path passing by restrooms on the right. If I had my son with me, we would stop here first before the walk.

Schon Park Start

Then I made a left on a cement walkway behind the swings.

Continued down this path past some solar panels on the left.

Then this path came to an asphalt trail and I went to the right towards a pond at .1 miles.

I cross a dam fronted by large granite rocks. (Main Blog Photo)

On the other shoreline, I pass by circular white birdhouses.

Then I came to the Greenspace Park Trail. I go to the right at .3 miles. If you go to the left you would come to the Greenspace Park trailhead.

*A large tree you can see along the trail.*

Greenspace Park Trail Loop Start

I pass by a tall tree with huge branches overhead.

Then I came to another intersection at .4 miles. This is where the Greenspace Park Trail loop begins. I go to the right and continue going downhill. I wanted to do the out-and-back part of the hike first.

A large greenhouse comes into view on the right.

Another trail goes to the left at .6 miles, this is a shortcut for the loop, but I continue onward.

*You can go to the left to avoid the out and back.*

Then I come to the loop trail at .7 miles on the left, but I am continuing on the Greenspace Park Trail to the Nickel Plate Trail at the bottom of the hill as an out and back.

Out and Back to Nickel Plate Trail

The trail goes into switchbacks as it heads along the ridge of the hill.

Once towards the bottom, I pass by Scouring Rushes growing above the stream below.

Then I cross a wooden bridge high over a creek.

Water flows by shrubs on the right and through rocks below.

A stop sign shows that I am at the end of this trail at 1 mile.

*Signage for where you will go continuing on the Nickel Plate Trail.*

At the trailhead, a brown sign shows that you can go right to Edwardsville or go left for a long way toward downtown Glen Carbon and then to Granite City. Either would be a much longer hike so I turn around.

Heading Back

Now I go back across the bridge looking down at the stream below noticing it creating a small pool.

Other Sections of the Loop

Then I come to the start of the loop at 1.3 miles and this time go to the right for the longer part of the loop walk. At this intersection is a covered bench, you will find more of these along the walk for breaks.

The trail goes through deeper woods. You can see a lot of logs among the trees, it looks like a lot of trees had come down here at one point.

Then the trail curves around at 1.4 miles. If you went to the left you would be back at the trail you walked earlier.

The trail crosses a small stream. I walk down to a pool below. A rotting log across the water is being eroded by moss.

Next, I come to the end of the loop at 1.7 miles and make a right towards Schon Park along the trail I had walked earlier on.

Going left to Schon Park — *Going straight ahead to* the front of the lake.

Back to Schon Park

I stay on the Greenspace Park North Trail instead of making a left to the dam at 1.8 miles.

This time I am taking a trail that goes to the back end of the pond away from the dam that connects back to the parking lot.

*Heading uphill to the front area of the lake.*

I make the left onto this trail at 1.9 miles.

You can walk out to an overlook of the pond from a covered picnic pavilion along here.

Then I make a right to the parking area away from the lake once more.

Final Thoughts

This hike is a mixture of forest, ponds, and streams along with a large hill. I like the variety of elements here to add to the interest of the walk. It is stroller-friendly.

DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 55 to Interstate 255 and go north then take exit 29 and make a right onto Illinois Highway 152. Then make a left onto Illinois Highway 157 and then a right onto Main Street which becomes Glen Carbon Road and then make a left into the Schon Park parking lot.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Address: Ray M. Schon Park, Glen Carbon, IL 62034

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