Cook County Forest Preserve to host public events Sept. 26 at forest locations
The Forest Preserves of Cook County is throwing a party, and everyone is invited! From morning till night, Cook County residents can enjoy numerous self-guided activities and guided programs on September 26 at various Forest Preserves locations to celebrate National Public Lands Day.
In a year where more than ever we appreciate being outside and being in nature, Party for the Preserves is a way to discover new activities in the Forest Preserves, with free activities ranging from live native animal encounters and scavenger hunts to building nature crafts and making s’mores.
9 am – 1 pm
3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills
Help collect native seeds, view seed cleaning demonstrations, join in a scavenger hunt, and give back to nature by helping clean up the Preserves.
12545 West 111th St, Lemont
Observe bird banding demonstrations, view pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and give back to nature by helping clean up the Preserves.
738 Thatcher Ave, River Forest
Read nature poetry, meet native animals, learn about wetlands and build a boat craft, and give back to nature by helping clean up the Preserves.
11 am – 3 pm
9800 Willow Springs Rd, Willow Springs
Join a guided walk or the self-guided scavenger hunt; meet native herps, birds of prey and pond critters; take home winter crops; and give back to nature by helping clean up the Preserves.
3120 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook
Tour the new pollinator garden, meet live native animals, and give back to nature by helping clean up the Preserves.
15891 Paxton Ave, South Holland
Join a guided walk or the self-guided scavenger hunt, play plant and animal bingo, and give back to nature by helping clean up the Preserves.
2 pm – 6 pm
Forest Way Dr, south of Dundee Rd, near Glencoe
Search for a Golden Tree Cookie for a prize, take a bike ride and learn about trail etiquette, enjoy nature journaling, and give back to nature by helping clean up the Preserves.
Ogden Ave, west of Wolf Rd, near Western Springs
Search for a Golden Tree Cookie for a prize, join guided nature walks or a self-guided photography scavenger hunt, build a terrarium to take home, and give back to nature by helping clean up the Preserves.
Halsted St, south of W 144th St, Riverdale
Search for a Golden Tree Cookie for a prize, join guided nature walks or a self-guided photography scavenger hunt, build a terrarium to take home, and give back to nature by helping clean up the Preserves.
6 pm – 9 pm
9600 Wolf Rd, Willow Springs
Make s’mores, join guided night hikes or a self-guided interpretive color walks, check out a crayfish trapping demo, learn the basics of camping, and give back to nature by helping clean up the Preserves.
1801 N Quentin Rd, Palatine
Make s’mores, join guided night hikes or a self-guided interpretive color walks, learn the basics of camping, and give back to nature by helping clean up the Preserves.
15810 S Torrence Ave, South Holland
Enjoy an interactive evening by the fire and learn more about the key elements of earth, wind and fire.
All participants are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing. The number of participants may be capped for activities to allow for physical distancing. Many activities require registration: Visit https://fpdcc.com/events/category/party/ to learn more about specific events and programs and for registration information.
With nearly 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful, Cook County residents have endless opportunities to get out in nature in the Forest Preserves. While still practicing safe physical distancing and other public health guidelines, Forest Preserves visitors can use our public lands to enjoy sunshine, fresh air and invigorating exercises. Visit fpdcc.com to start planning your nature outing.
About the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Don’t you sometimes just want to escape? Explore the natural beauty of Cook County for an hour, a day or even a night. When you’re surrounded by 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful there’s no better place to feel free.
His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].
Follow RayHanania at Twitter
- Orland Park Statement on Settlement of William Sanchez vs. Village of Orland Park, et al., Lawsuit - December 5, 2025
- Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas column explores options to help pay property taxes by Dec. 15 - December 5, 2025
- WalletHub releases Credit Card Debt study, shows $16 billion increase - December 5, 2025
