On The Go Chicago

My girls and I spent the morning at North Park Village Nature Center and Peterson Park.  It is truly an urban oasis of nature.  Both are located just off Pulaski road in Northwest Chicago, although the hiking trails, ponds and small waterfalls make you feel like you have truly escaped the city.

We parked near the Nature Center (which is tucked away on the left side just past the gymnastics building), and headed to Peterson Park.  I wanted to get a little workout in, so I ran along the shady, paved trails around the park.  There are two playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts and lots of open grass areas.  The trails are wide, shady and perfect for a stroll or run.  They would also be a great place to take beginner bike riders.  We ran the loop of trails a couple of times, and then had a picnic near the bigger of the two playgrounds.

After lunch my kids had a great time exploring the pirate ship, playing in the sandbox and swinging on the swings.  We then headed over to the Nature Center.  If you are going with a stroller, you have to go through the side gate to get to the stroller friendly entrance.  The front door has steps.  The Nature Center itself is quite small, but they do have some bones and horns your little ones can touch, and a real beehive that they can look inside (this was the highlight for my girls).

Next we headed for the 155 acre preserve behind the Nature Center.  The nature preserve features trails that wind through woodlands, wetlands, prairie and savannas.  There is a huge pond in the wetland area that has beautiful lily pads and dragonflies buzzing around.  The main trail is a loop and is less than a half-mile.  Although the trails are not paved, they are very stroller friendly and shady.

The morning was fun, educational, outdoors and best of all FREE!

North Park Village Nature Center

• Where – 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.
• Phone – 312.744.5472
• Cost – Free