Where the Deer and the Beaver Play in Chicago

Chicago can seem to consist solely of pavement and buildings, parking lots and malls. It’s easy to miss that there are areas where nature still exists, perhaps not pristine, but fighting gamely against urban sprawl. One such place is the North Park Village Nature Center.

Set on the city’s northwest side, the center includes an educational facility and a forty-six acre preserve that’s home to deer, beaver, fox, turtles, local and migrating birds, a rare oak savannah, a sedate pond, and dozens of trees and other plant species. What’s more important is the feeling a visitor gets of seeing something that looks a lot like it did when Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable became Chicago’s first non-native settler in the 1770s.

The preserve offers well-marked, mostly level trails that lead hikers, joggers, and bicyclists through samples of prairie, woodland, wetland, and savanna. The trail meanders pleasantly, allowing visitors to see, hear, smell, and touch the natural world rarely experienced in a major population center.

At the Nature Center, the brick building that provides entrance to the park, a variety of educational activities are available for both adults and children. A hands-on display of natural objects helps visitors to identify flora and fauna. A season-appropriate catalog of classes are available and a variety of exhibits are offered to enhance the experience. Classes include “All About Turtles,” “Don’t Worry, Be Sappy,” and “Essentials of Firestarting.”

Tips For Visiting the Nature Preserve

• The trail is well-maintained, but can be muddy after rain and early-spring thaws. Wear appropriate footwear.
• Crossing the trail at various location are “swales.” These depressed areas are often dry and look like trails, but are not. Help preserve the preserve by staying on the trail and not treading on these and other delicate off-trail areas.
• The North Park recycling center is adjacent to the preserve. Bring your paper, glass, metal, and plastic and help save the environment while enjoying the environment!
• Located on the northwest corner of Peterson Park, there’ are opportunities for soccer, softball, tennis, basketball, picnicking, and more. Why not make a day of it!

For Families

• You can’t do better for your children than bring them here! There’s room to run and play, they can see Shy-Poke, a rescued heron that is resident at the nature center, safely watch honey bees at work, and develop an appreciation of the wilderness.

Data and Directions
North Park Village Nature Center

• Address: 5801 North Pulaski Road, Chicago, Illinois
• Direction: Follow signs after entering the park. Preserve takes up the northwest corner of Peterson Park.
• Phone: (312) 744-5472
• Price: Free (small fee for some classes).
• Hours: Open daily from 10am to 4pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
• Website: www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com (click on “Park & Facilities” then select “North Park Village Nature Center.”