One of the best places for you to enjoy nature this fall is at a local forest preserve. We are lucky to have so many in the area. In fact, you could visit a new one each weekend for an entire year without seeing them all.

You may not have time to spend an entire day at one, but perhaps you could spend a couple of hours experiencing what one has to offer. Even a short stop on the way home from work can be refreshing.

Forest preserves are lovely places to connect with yourself, others, and nature. They are great for hiking, biking, horseback riding, reading, journaling, boating, walking your dog, or attending an event.

Let’s look at the unique opportunities they provide.

 

Exploring On Your Own

There are many things you can do at the local Forest Preserves with a friend or on your own. You don’t have to plan ahead, and most of the activities can be enjoyed fairly inexpensively. 

• Blackwell Forest Preserve - take a walk, journal by the lake, race up Mt. Trashmore, or create your own adventure (boating, fishing, archery, camping. etc.).

• Danada Equestrian Center - take a walk, sit to journal, bring a youngster, or draw the horses.

• Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center - look at the woolly mammoth skeleton, grab a nature backpack, go hiking, or visit Graue Mill & Museum.

• Herrick Lake - walk the path, sit on the dock, rent a boat, skip rocks, or have a picnic.

• Kline Creek Farm - look at the animals, visit the store, or swing on the double glider behind the house.

• Mallard Lake - explore the trails, go fishing, enjoy a picnic, or take your boat out.

• Waterfall Glen - hike the trails, go biking, walk your dog, or visit the waterfall. 

• Pratt’s Wayne Woods - hike or bike 12 miles of trails, fish in five different lakes, picnic with friends, fly your model airplane or drone, or bring a non-profit youth group camping.

• Saint James Farm - enjoy art and architecture, take a stroll, enjoy a picnic, or ride your horse.

• Springbrook Prairie - fly your model airplane or drone, picnic with friends, bring your dog to the off-leash area, or enjoy the trails.

• West Branch - bring your boat, go on a hike, or fish in the Deep Quarry Lake.

• Willowbrook Wildlife Center - visit the animals at this wildlife rehabilitation center, explore the trails, or play in the discovery area for children.

*Be sure to check the forest preserves website to check for any permit requirements, etc.

 

Guided Experiences Available

If you want a unique perspective on the preserves with a group, consider signing up for one of the following programs.

 

• Time to Go Chorin (Kline Creek Farm through Aug 28) - Help with the chores around the farm. Mondays are for farmhouse chores, which often include laundering clothes the 1890’s way. Thursdays are for the barnyard chore, so make sure to wear shoes and clothes that can get dirty! (All ages. Suggested donation of $5/person ages 3 and up to enter the farm. No registration. Questions? Call 630-876-5900).

• Volunteer workday at the Nursery (Blackwell through Sept 27) - Lend a hand weeding, watering, or collecting and cleaning seeds from native grasses and flowers. (Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Register online or at 630-206-9630 at least five days in advance and 10 days in advance for groups of five or more).

• Volunteer Restoration Workday (varies through Sept 30) - Help improve a forest preserve prairie or woodland by collecting seeds or removing non-native plants. (Ages 8 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Register online or at 630-206-9630 at least five days in advance and 10 days in advance by phone for groups of five or more).

• At Home with Nature Tour (Mayslake Peabody Estate through Sept 30) - Learn some of the surprising history of Mayslake Hall, a landmark and architectural gem and the former home of F.S. Peabody, which has been surrounded by an oasis of nature for over 100 years. (Ages 18 and up. $8 per person. No registration. Questions? Call 630-206-9566).

• Evening Hike Club (varies through Sept 27) - Boost your outdoor wellness in a friendly group setting on a quick-paced 3 to 5-mile guided hike. (Ages 18 and up. $5 per person. Register online or at 630-933-7248).

If you go to one of the Forest Preserves, please take some pictures to share with me the next time you come in!

Dr. Jamie

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