Forest Preserve District Plans Family Fun – and It’s Free

The Forest Preserve District of Will County has planned a variety of free, fun learning activities for kids and their families at several of its locations in the area, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, and Riverview Farmstead and Whalon Lake Preserve, both in Naperville.

Here are a few of the family activities planned by the forest preserve district this week:

Wednesday, June 27, beginning at 1 p.m., “Discovery Isle,” a free, all-ages program for the entire family, is planned at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville.

The drop-in program will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. and feature a different activity or demonstration every other Wednesday during the summer. Programs may focus on plants, animals or history – and participants may be scooping critters out of a pond, learning about animal tracks or enjoying other activities.

Programs may be held indoors or outdoors, so participants should dress for the weather and for walking on trails with natural, uneven terrain.

Isle a la Cache Museum, located on the 100-acre Isle a la Cache Preserve on an island in the Des Plaines River, provides interpretation of the 18th-century fur trade history of the area, through interactive exhibits, a display area and native landscaping. The museum is at 501 E. 135^th St. (Romeo Road) in Romeoville.

For more information call 815-886-1467 or visit http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/visitor-centers/icm

Thursday, June 28, at 6:30 p.m., “Feeding a Family: Home Gardening Series,” a free, all-age family program, will take place at Riverview Farmstead in Naperville.

Registration is required for the second of a four-part home gardening series, which encourages families to get outside and get growing. 

The first session in the series featured planning and planting a garden with how-to tips and advice on what plants grow best in the area.

The June 28 session will cover composting and how food waste can become a great food source for the garden.

Session three, on July 26, will focus on harvesting, with tips on how and when to start picking.

And the final session, on Aug. 23, will get gardeners thinking about preserving what they have grown and provide tips for next year’s growing season.

Riverview Farmstead includes a mid-1800s limestone house, an early frame residence that had been converted to a barn, and a large timber frame barn, as well as a one-mile asphalt trail, canoe launch and landing, picnic shelter with electricity and other amenities. The farmstead is located along Book Road between 111^th and 119^th Streets in Naperville.

For information and registration, call 815-886-1467 or visit http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/Riverview-Farmstead

Friday, June 29, at 7 p.m., “Waggin’ Tails across the Seasons,” a free, all-age program, will be at Whalon Lake in Naperville. 

Registration is required for the family program, which will give participants the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Whalon Lake while spending time with their pets and in the company of other dog lovers.

All dogs must be on leashes that are no more than 10 feet long and participants should bring a portable water bowl and water for their dog, though a water source will be available nearby.     

The program will begin at the pavilion across from the dog park and take place on level paths or natural surfaces across uneven terrain.

Whalon Lake Preserve, which encompasses 266 acres along the east branch of the DuPage River, features an oak savanna grove and restored, enhanced wetland areas as well as a large picnic shelter, two dog parks, an 80-acre converted quarry lake for canoeing, kayaking and boating, and a paved walking trail for hiking, biking, in-line skating and cross-country skiing.

Whalon Lake is located on Royce Road, west of Route 53, in Naperville. For information and registration, call 708-534-8499 or visit http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/Whalon-Lake.

Friday, June 29, at 8 p.m., “Twilight Hike,” a free, all-age family program, will take place at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville. Registration is required for the exciting family adventure, at which families can explore Centennial Trail just before the sun goes down. 

“Crepuscular” is the name for the animals and insects that are most active during twilight hours, and this is participants’ chances to explore their world.

A forest preserve district guide will provide insights as to how nature settles down for the evening and which animals are just waking up. Guests will also learn how their bodies and those of animals react to changing light levels.

The program will include hiking on a paved trail with inclines and low-light visibility.

For information and registration, call 815-886-1467 or visit http://www.reconnectwithnature.org/visitor-centers/icm

In providing programs and services to the public, the Forest Preserve District of Will County will make reasonable modifications to ensure that all people have an equal opportunity to enjoy District offerings. For more information visit ReconnectWithNature.org/ADA.

Editor's note: The information above was provided through press releases by the Forest Preserve District of Will County and its website.

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