Buffalo Rock State Park is located in north central Illinois east of
La Salle in
La Salle County about three miles west of
Ottawa. This 300-acre park presents a panorama of the
Illinois River and is a favorite for picnickers and nature lovers alike.
It is perched on the bluffs above the river and houses five sculptures formed from Illinois clay. Called "Effigy Tumili" (a tumili is a Native American burial ground), this unique "earth art" is simply wonderous. All five larger-than-life subjects--a snake (over 2,000 feet long), a turtle, a catfish, a frog and an insect called a water strider--are native to the area. They were created by artist Michael Heizer with the aid of some heavy construction equipment.
