Twin Sisters Park Woods

Twin Sister Woods, an 8-acre wooded area in Rockford's Twin Sister Hills Park, centers its local legend on an old willow tree at the entrance — visitors say walking past it brings on a sudden, unexplained urge to head into the woods. Deeper in, an old tree bears strange carvings and has earned a reputation as a hanging tree, though attempts to verify any actual hangings there have come up empty. Visitors report a little girl seen walking the woods, dead batteries, figures glimpsed behind trees, and an overwhelming sense of dread — though at least one local ghost hunter has pointed out the park borders populated neighborhoods, which could explain some of what people hear and see.