SPRING 2020 A GUIDE TO THE Forest Preserves of Cook County fpdcc.com Wednesday, April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day—a day set aside to renew our commitment to the natural environment and remind ourselves to give back to Mother Nature. Within the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s nearly 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful, thousands of plants and animals depend on our natural lands. Healthy environments are critical to ensure that Cook County’s diverse ecosystems thrive. Consider gathering family and friends to celebrate Earth Day. Throughout the Forest Preserves, people of all ages can join volunteer restoration activities, and some of our nature centers are hosting special events and programs, too. Don’t stop there: There are numerous opportunities throughout April—and all year long—to be a part of the ecological stewardship of the Forest Preserves. Toni Preckwinkle President, Forest Preserves of Cook County fpdcc.com The FPCC is committed to providing equal, integrated participation for individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Nature Center of your program choice 72 hours in advance to request reasonable accommodations and to obtain more information about site accessibility. To obtain information about accommodations for specific camping and outdoor recreation activities throughout the Forest Preserves, please contact us at [email protected] or at 708-386-4042. Since 1991 3453 Commercial Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 www.performancemedia.us Gail McGrath Publisher & President Sheldon Levin Publisher & Director of Finance A. J. Levin Director of Operations Account Managers: Rand Brichta - Arnie Hoffman Southeast: Michael Hedge 847-770-4643 Southwest: Betsy Gugick & Associates 972-387-1347 East Coast: Manzo Media Group 610-527-7047 Graphic Design and Production: Tahira Merchant Joy Morawez Accounting Willie Smith Supervisor Operations Earl Love - Wilfredo Silva Operations Steve Dunn Web & Internet Development You can view this program on your mobile device at www.performancemedia.us/publications For advertising information, call 847-770-4620. To see our Terms and Conditions relating to advertising orders, visit our website at www.performancemedia.us. All contents copyrighted. All rights reserved. Nothing may be reproduced in any manner without written permission. © 2020 Performance Media & Gail McGrath & Associates, Inc. is a Woman Owned Business. Wherever you go, we’re right there with you! SPRING 2020 View Us A GUIDE TO THE on your Forest Preserves Tablet or of Cook County Phone Call Us to Place Your Ad The Art Institute of Chicago Magazine Auditorium Theatre Program Chicago Botanic Garden Magazine Chicago Philharmonic Program • Citadel Theatre Program fpdcc.com Chicago Wedding & Party Resource Magazine Do North • Field Museum Magazine Forest Preserves of Cook County Events & Activity Guide Kohl Children’s Museum Guide • Lake Forest Symphony Program Advertise Your Business Lyric Opera of Chicago Program • One of A Kind Show Guide Randolph Street Market Guide • Ravinia Family Fun Guide In The Next Issue Ravinia Magazine • Ravinia Steans Music Institute Program FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY Since 1991 CALL 847.770.4620 performancemedia.us | 847.770.4620 BaBarringtonrrington How to use this Guide: 94 Whether you’re looking for boat rentals, ziplining, disc golf or fun and educational events or programs 53 Arlington Glenview at nature centers and sites throughout the County, ArlingtonHeights 90 Heights this guide will help you create your own adventure 294 in the Forest Preserves. Evanston Schaumburg Des Plaines By using the designated zone colors and shapes below, Schaumburg Des Plaines nd events and aenities lose to hoe, or elore nearly 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful. Come by yourself, or with your family and friends. There’s no better place to feel free. 94 90 Oak Paark Oak Park 290 Spring Offerings 4–11 Cicero Spring Offerings, Bird the Preserves, Camping Cicero La Grange Northwest Zone 10–17 Chicago Crabtree Nature Center North Zone 18–21 94 90 River Trail Nature Center 294 Central Zone 22–27 94 Trailside Museum of Natural History 57 PPaloalos Park Park Southwest Zone 28–33 Calumet Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center/Sagawau Environmental Learning Center City OakOak Orland FoForestrest Park South Zone 34–37 Park 80 Sand Ridge Nature Center Lansing Entrance to Nature Centers is free; some programs and zone-based activities require a small fee. Chicago Heights 2 USER GUIDE BaBarringtonrrington NORTHWEST 94 53 Arlington Glenview ArlingtonHeights 90 Heights NORTH 294 Schaumburg Evanston Schaumburg DesDes Plaines Plaines Lake Michigan DID YOU KNOW? 94 90 Oak Paark Oak Park 290 Chicago CENTRAL Cicero Cicero We have more than La Grange 300 miles of trails. Use our interactive map at Chicago map.fpdcc.com to plan your visit. 94 90 SOUTHWEST 294 57 94 PPaloalos Park Park Calumet City OakOak Orland FoForestrest SOUTH ParkPark 80 Lansing BE PREPARED You can protect spring wildowers by staying on Chicago the trails. Heights SPRING TIP 3 Spring Offerings throughout Cook County AQUATIC CENTERS CONSERVATION@HOME Opening Day: Saturday, May 23 A partnership with University of Illinois Free Day! Extension certies Forest Preserves Friendly gardens. Fpdcc.com for more Cermak Family Aquatic Center information. Native Plant pre-sale 7600 W Ogden Ave, Lyons Mar–May. To order, visit: Green Lake Family Aquatic Center wild-ones-west-cook.myshopify.com 1100 River Oaks Dr, Calumet City DISC GOLF Whealan Pool Aquatic Center Rolling Knolls 620 W Devon Ave, Chicago 11N260 Rohrssen Rd, Elgin BOAT RENTALS fpdcc.com/disc-golf Canoes, kayaks, rowboats or electric motor EQUESTRIAN boats. April to October—call ahead for availability. fpdcc.com/boating. Glen Grove Equestrian Center 9453 Harms Rd, Morton Grove Busse Lake Boating Center Boarding facilities, indoor/outdoor riding E Higgins Rd, east of I-290, areas, retail shop, lessons and pony rides. Elk Grove Village, 224-415-6554 Glengroveequine.com, 847-966-8032 Maple Lake Boating Center GO APE ZIP LINE Wolf Rd, south of 95th St, Navigate obstacles and ziplines in the Willow Springs, 708-506-0227 forest canopy. Details & reservations: Skokie Lagoons (Tower Road Entrance)* GoApe.com. Tower Rd, west of Forestway Dr, ortheld, 13 Bemis Woods South 1100 Ogden Ave, Western Springs Tampier Lake Boating Center Open April–November 131st St, west of S olf d, rland ar, 03100 *Canoes and kayaks only at Skokie Lagoons and Saganashkee Slough 4 SPRING OFFERINGS GOLF ForestPreserveGolf.com or call 800-460-0010. Billy Caldwell 6150 Caldwell Ave, Chicago Burnham Woods Burnham Ave & 142nd St, Burnham Chick Evans 6145 Golf Rd, Morton Grove Edgebrook 6100 N Central Ave, Chicago George W Dunne 1310 S entral Ave, a orest PAVILION RENTALS Harry Semrow Driving Range Host your next event with us. Our ve 1150 E Golf Rd, Des Plaines affordably priced rental pavilions are Highland Woods ideal venues for weddings, family reunions, 2775 Ela Rd, Hoffman Estates birthday parties and much more. Choose Indian Boundary from restored historic buildings or new 8600 W Forest Preserve Ave, Chicago energy-efcient facilities—all located in Joe Louis beautiful natural areas. 13100 S alsted St, iverdale Reserve your space: Call 773-558-2003 Meadowlark or email [email protected]. 11 31st St, insdale Learn more at fpdcc.com/pavilions. River Oaks 1 Park Ave, Calumet City Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion 8700 S Western Ave, Chicago OFF-LEASH DOG AREAS Mathew Bieszczat Volunteer Membership info fpdcc.com/dogs Resource Center Beck Lake 6100 N Central, Chicago East River Rd & Central Rd, Des Plaines Rolling Knolls 11N260 Rohrssen Rd, Elgin Bremen Grove Oak Park Ave, south of 159th St, Swallow Cliff Pavilion Tinley Park IL Rt 83 & US Rt 45, Palos Park Miller Meadow-South Thatcher Woods Pavilion 1st Ave, south of Roosevelt Rd, 8030 Chicago Ave, River Forest Forest Park TENNIS PARTNERS CLASSES & EVENTS 544 N Harlem Ave, River Forest L.L. Bean, llbean.com/adventure oakparktennis.com REI, rei.com/learn fpdcc.com VOLUNTEER Trailbound Trips, trailboundtrips.com fpdcc.com/volunteer. ZONE KEY Northwest North Central Southwest South A5 SPRING OFFERINGS BIRD THE PRESERVES Bird the Preserves is a joint initiative tinyurl.com/birdthepreserves. of the Forest Preserves and various Also look for other birding programs partners to connect diverse througout this guide on the nature communities to nature. Enjoy these center pages and for other partner- srin events and nd additional hosted events listed by zone. events throughout the season at: * Registration required. Beginners welcome; binoculars available. Events are for all ages unless otherwise noted. NORTHWEST Camping with the Birds Join Chicago Audubon Society for a camping trip with an owl walk, campre sing-along, and a morning bird walk. Chicago Audubon activities are free; bring your own Friday night dinner and Saturday morning breakfast. Cabins/tents sites are available. Registration required, call 312-636-9750. Camp Reinberg–1801 N Quentin, Palatine Throughout the Spring Bird Walks Join the Evanston North Shore Bird Club for birding in this small spring migrant hotspot. Added bonus: spring wildowers. For more information, email [email protected]. Perkins Woods–Ewing Ave & Grant St, Evanston NORTH Bird Walk Bird Walk Join Chicago Ornithological Society during peak migration. Bring mom for a great Join Jeff Skrentny and take advantage morning bird walk before brunch. Ages of his detailed knowledge of this premier 13 & up. Registration required, email Chicago birding hotspot to look for early [email protected]. spring migrants. Wear boots. Ages 13 & up. Registration required, email [email protected]. Erickson Woods–Willow Rd, east of Edens E, inneta LaBagh Woods–5400 N Cicero Ave, Chicago ZONE KEY Northwest North Central Southwest South 6 CENTRAL SOUTHWEST Bird Walk Woodcock Walk Explore early spring migrants, including Join Chicago Ornithological Society on Wilson’s snipe and American pipit. an evening hike to observe the mating Conditions may be wet and muddy; dance of the timberdoodle (American wear appropriate footwear. For more woodcock).