Hidden Oaks Nature Center Reopening Celebration Is Saturday

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The anticipated reopening of the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook will take place during an Oak-tacular Comeback Celebration on Saturday.

The preserve said the free, all-ages event is scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. on May 3.

The nature center and an adjacent section of Hidden Oaks Preserve closed in February 2024 for a $2 million renovation project designed to make the site a hub for Forest Preserve education and exploration in northern Will County and beyond, according to the preserve.

“The grand reopening will celebrate the conclusion [of] months of hard work and will give members of the public their first look at all the improvements,” said facility supervisor Angie Trobaugh.

There will be live music, free hotdogs and s’mores over an open fire. Food and beverage purchases can be made from Mr. Salty Carnival Food and Tapville Social beers, according to the preserve.

“Chainsaw artist Myles Nasby will be carving an art piece for the nature center, and kids can interact with our bubble entertainer or get free henna, face painting or temporary tattoos,” Trobaugh said in a release. “We will have our local bee vendor onsite with an observation hive as well as birds of prey from Stillman Nature Center. And don’t forget to climb our oaks with Camp Manitoqua! As always, we have something for everyone, so don’t miss out.”

Forest Preserve employees will host a touch-a-truck activity, and many of the staff who make the preserves great will be in attendance to rev up the celebration with crafts and more, Trobaugh added.

“It’s part of the reason we invited District staff to the event to take part,” she said. “Just about everyone within the District, every department, had their hand in the renovations in one way or another. The event is a chance for the community to meet the Forest Preserve family and be invited back to their local nature center. And it is certainly a cause for celebration, so the event will have a party feel to it.”

Attendees also will be able to tour the new building to see the new entrance area, gift shop, exhibits and hands-on activities.

Many of the new exhibits feature an oak theme, including the journey of an acorn and an acorn dress-up station, a bench that mimics a decaying log and a wall panel that explains tree communication. Because the nature center is called Hidden Oaks, the oak theme is an important component, Trobaugh said.

The preserve said that a special "Becorns: Little Acorn People Leading Big Lives" exhibit will also open for a two-month run. The exhibit features David M. Bird’s photography and one 3D example of tiny acorn people that live in nature. The free, all-ages exhibit will run from May 3 to June 29.