From a Women-Only Adventure Day to the Great Orb Hunt, Here Are 6 Things to Do in Forest Preserves This Weekend

Patty Wetli | September 6, 2024, 1:12 pm

Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, some “me time” or family fun, area forest preserves have you covered.

Here are our weekend picks by county.

Forest Preserve District of Cook County: New Preserve Opening in Tinley Park

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Cook County’s newest forest preserve site is now open to the public at 6101 Oak Forest Ave. in Tinley Park. The 29-acre property features a grass walking path and canopy of mature trees. (Courtesy of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County)

Be one of the first people to check out the newest Cook County forest preserve site, just open to the public at 6101 Oak Forest Ave. in Tinley Park. The 29-acre property was formerly known as Villa Santa Maria, owned by a community of Catholic nuns.

This new preserve features woodland, grassland and wetland habitats. Visitors can enjoy a grass walking path, a canopy of mature trees and picnic tables. There’s also an open area perfect for flying a kite, tossing a football or hanging out with family and friends.

Forest Preserve District of Will County: Rare Bird Alert

The swallow-tailed kite has a distinctive profile. (ArendTrent / iStock)

A swallow-tailed kite has been reported in Will County for the first time ever, spotted in and around the expansive Hadley Valley preserve.

Swallow-tailed kites are typically found in the southeastern U.S. in the summer and migrate to South America for the winter. How one wound up in Will County is a mystery. The best guesses are that it got blown off course by a hurricane or is a first-year bird migrating in the wrong direction.

These birds have a distinctive profile and spend a lot of time in the air, so if this lost swallow-tailed is still in the area, there’s a good chance of catching it in flight.

Forest Preserve District of Kane County: The Great Orb Hunt

In partnership with Fine Line Creative Arts Center, hand-crafted glass and ceramic orbs are being hidden along trails in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, Burnidge Forest Preserve and the prairie path at the arts center.

The hunt kicked off Sept. 5 and runs through Sept. 30. The orbs — 150 in total — will be hidden in small batches at different times throughout the week. Treasure seekers are already being rewarded!

Click here for more information.

Lake County Forest Preserve District: Bob Ross Original Paintings Exhibit

The Bob Ross exhibit at Lake County Forest Preserves Dunn Museum includes a photo station where visitors can pretend to be the famous artist. (Lake County Forest Preserves / Facebook)

The Dunn Museum, operated by the forest preserves, has a newly opened exhibit of 75 original paintings by Bob Ross, the creator and host of the long-running PBS series “The Joy of Painting.”

Ross famously completed entire paintings in 30 minutes, many of them inspired by Alaskan landscapes.

Visitors can step into Ross’ shoes courtesy of the exhibit’s photo station where people can pretend to be the famous artist, complete with wig.

Click here for information on the museum’s hours and admission fees.

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County: Women’s Adventure Day

(DisobeyArt / iStock)

Spaces are still open for Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., meeting up at Herrick Lake. Cost is $30; must be 18 years or older.

McHenry County Conservation District: Play Nature Detective

Learn to distinguish between muskrats (pictured) and beavers while playing Lost Valley detective. (Wirestock / iStock)

Head to the Lost Valley Visitor Center to begin your adventure. Each month features a new topic of exploration: September’s is beavers and muskrats.

Start by checking out the indoor displays and activities and then grab one of the free exploration backpacks — filled with binoculars and field guides — along with a scavenger hunt. Search the wild spaces of Glacial Park, on the lookout for muskrat lodges.

The center is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 | [email protected]