The 126-acre Russell Woods includes forests, prairies, and a river. The preserve has three enclosed shelters, an open air shelter, a playground, sledding hill, and 2 ½ miles of trails. A diverse flora occurs in both the upland forest and the low, wet woodland. The river itself is a prime fishing site, but is also rich in other aquatic species, especially native freshwater mussels. It is designated a "unique aquatic resource" by the IL Department of Natural Resources and the IL Natural History Survey.