5 Great Places to Get Outdoors When it Hits 70 in Kane Co. on Wednesday

Temperatures are expected to hit the lower to mid-70s on Wednesday with lots of sun. And while we are already on a record-breaking hot streak in Chicagoland, early forecasts indicate Wednesday will be the best day yet.

With that in mind, we turned to Yelp.com for the best places for some hiking and/or to get outdoors during this unseasonably warm stretch of weather.

We've included five local parks and forest preserves that get the highest reviews on Yelp. If we missed your favorite spot, mention it in the comments below and let other readers know what you enjoy about it:

Peck Farm Park, 38W199 Kaneville Road in Geneva: If you haven’t been, yet, Peck Farm Park is a great spot to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. For many with young children, the Hawks Hallow playground is worth checking out. Hawks Hollow features eight interactive learning stations featuring native bird, tree and bug species.

Some of the learning stations include:

• King Fisher Crossing: allows visitors to create art in soil tables and on mud walls, identify webbed bird tracks, manipulate water and learn about the importance of wetlands to birds.
• Songbird Stage: features a wood stage and log seating area with nature based musical instruments for creative musical play.
• Raptor’s Roost: provides a variety of hands-on large motor activities such as a tree ring life cycle, falcon message center, pulley system, optic scopes for bird watching and a multi-level tree house with spiral slide, roped web climbers and a tree top eagles nest overlook.

There is also a man made stream that runs through the middle of the playground.

In addition, there are beautiful trails that wind through the park that can be enjoyed by all ages.

"Perfect spot for families, couples, singles, everyone," Nicole C. writes in a Yelp.com review. "A beautiful natural landscape with a large pond and trails throughout surround a lovely historic brick farmhouse building, 3 sided picnic area, silo with lookouts, nature classroom, playground area, butterfly house, and more! There are events happening all the time, and there's even a nature class for little ones you can sign up for or you can have your next birthday party or family reunion here! The possibilities seem endless. You simply must check it out if you live in the area - it's sure to become a favorite outing."

More via the Geneva Park District website.

Dick Young Forest Preserve, 39w115 Main St. in Batavia: Yelp.com reviewer Eric E. writes, “One of Kane Counties most underrated and most seldom used parks... If you're looking for more exposure to the sun the west side is a perfect fit. There's no tree cover on this side so you'll be exposed to the elements. The east side has some tree cover (depending on the path you take) and the plant life grows tall.”

The Kane County Forest Preserve District provides the following synopsis of this local gem:

Dick Young Forest Preserve comprises some of Kane County's finest wetlands, woodlands and prairie. Together, these create an ecological complex that supports a great diversity of animals and plants, including several threatened, rare and endangered species. The geologic features of the site provide a window to the origins of the northern Illinois landscape. On the east side of the preserve is Nelson Lake Marsh, which lies in a depression created by the weight of glacial ice more than 10,000 years ago. A smaller prairie pothole, similarly formed, is evident near the north entrance to the preserve off Main Street. Moraines to the north and west of the marsh were created by the deposition of rocks, boulders and gravel from retreating glaciers.

More via the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.

Lippold Park, 2001 S. River St. in Batavia: “Located right on the Fox River Trail. Nice play and exploratory area for kids. The playground is is very nature oriented. There are a few covered picnic tables and bike racks. Bonus, THEY HAVE A BIKE PUMP,” George J. of Yorkville writes about this park on Yelp.com.

Tara Burghart, the creator of the popular Go West Young Mom blog, shares the following information about the amenities at the park: “Lippold Park has a shelter, amphitheater-style seating around a fire pit, a nature-themed playground with a ‘treehouse’ feel, and a boardwalk path winding through a pond and wetlands leading to the banks of the Fox River. The playground features a climbing wall, climbing net, a rope walk, ramps, tree stump chairs and a wigwam. There is also a half-mile paved looping trail that connects to the Fox River Trail.”

More via the Go West Young Mom blog.

Fox River Bluff Dog Park, Route 31 and Red Gate Road in St. Charles: Grab your dog and head out to this local park. Nicola K., of Geneva, posted this review on Yelp: “I love this dog park, it is one of the few places you dog is allowed to run freely off leash and you the owner can get a nice walk in as well. It has the river and undulating terrain to make it interesting for dogs and owners.”

More information can be found on the Forest Preserve District of Kane County website.

Red Oak Nature Center, 2343 S River St. in Batavia: “Nestled on the east bank of the Fox River, the Red Oak Nature Center is surrounded by 40 acres of lush forest and wildlife habitat – an ideal setting for visitors to learn about the great outdoors through direct interaction with nature,” according to the Fox Valley Park District website. You can follow the Fox River Trail down to The Cave at the river’s edge, where you can explore the only known cave in the Aurora area and inside there is an observation deck that overlooks the Fox River. Six wood-chipped hiking trails and the nationally renowned Fox River Trail wind throughout the woods that border the Fox River. Dogs and bikes are allowed on paved trails only.

“The trails are perfect for a little nature get away and perfect for little ones to discover and enjoy nature. My daughter and her friend each had their walking stick, we saw so many kinds of birds, toads, and tons of bugs. We went in mid-May and the mosquito season hadn't picked up yet, but once it does I would suggest you bring a ton of bug spray,” according to Yelp.com reviewer Ashley A.

More information can be found on the Fox Valley Park District website.

Photo via the Red Oak Nature Center Facebook page