Looking for a fun and relaxing time with your family? Try a forest preserve! Or take a hike on a trail. Especially in these times what better way to spend time together than in nature? Be sure to call ahead and confirm the venue is open and be sure you are aware of their restrictions. Have fun!
Goodrich Woods |
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by Tim Lenz-Goodrich |
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Greene Valley Preserve |
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| GREENE VALLEY PRESERVE Greene Valley boasts a high-quality oak woodland north of 79th Street, an area one former owner set aside for plant and animal conservation more than 50 years ago. Native wildflowers provide spectacular spring displays. Greene Valley is also home to more than 370 different kinds of native animals. In its wetlands, waterfowl, herons, egrets, and other aquatic life flourish, and choruses of toads and frogs call during the spring breeding season. In its meadows, you may catch a glimpse of a passing coyote or hear the songs of meadowlarks and bobolinks. Walk into the forest, and you just might flush a great horned owl from its roost or startle a white-tailed deer and fawn. Picnicking Trails Off-Leash Dog Area Model-Craft Area Greene Valley Loop Trail Greene Valley Loop is a 2.1 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Naperville, Illinois that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Kid-friendly Hiking Mountain biking Nature trips Walking Running |
Knoch Knolls Nature Center |
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| KNOCH KNOLLS PARK TRAILS and NATURE CENTER Knoch Knolls Park Trail is a 2.8-mile loop trail located near Naperville, Illinois that features a river. The trail is rated as moderate and offers a number of activity options. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on a leash. Restrooms 5 Bridges 2 Rivers 1 Creek 1 Pond 2 Picnic groves Canoe and kayak launch 1 Backstop 2 Small multi-use fields 18 Disc Golf nets 84 Parking spaces |
McDowell Grove Preserve |
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| McDOWELL GROVE PRESERVE The West Branch DuPage River flows through the 465-acre McDowell Grove Forest Preserve in Naperville, providing fishing opportunities and attracting waterfowl and shorebirds like egrets and great blue herons. The preserve also has nearly seven miles of trails and two reservable picnic shelters and areas. McDowell Grove’s maples put on a spectacular show of colors in the fall. Trails Picnicking Fishing Boating |
Riverview Farmstead Preserve |
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| RIVERVIEW FARMSTEAD PRESERVE Riverview Farmstead Preserve protects prairie habitat and a portion of the DuPage River. Wildlife found at the preserve includes the big brown bat, osprey, Bell's vireo and dickcissels. The preserve is also home to more than 500 plant species. Canoeing/Kayaking Cross-Country Skiing Fishing Hiking/Running In-Line Skating Picnicking Snowshoeing Wildlife Viewing |
Riverwalk Park |
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| RIVERWALK PARK The classic urban park offering a playground, ice rink, trails, horseshoe pit & a paddle boat pier. Picnic Shelters Trails Sled Hills Horseshoe Pits Restrooms |
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| SPRINGBROOK PRAIRIE PRESERVE The 1,829-acre Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville is a birder's paradise in addition to offering trails, picnicking areas, an off-leash dog area, a model craft field, and a state-designated nature preserve, and land and water reserve. It offers some of the best displays of summertime blooms. Dogs on leash Kid-friendly Hiking Wildflowers Wildlife Model-Craft Area Springbrook Prairie Trail Springbrook Prairie Trail is a 5.9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Naperville, Illinois that features beautiful wildflowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Dogs on leash Kid friendly Hiking Horseback riding Mountain biking Nature trips Road biking Walking Bird watching Wildflowers Wildlife |
VERMONT CEMETERY PRESERVE |
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