|  |
photo: Lake Michigan Federation |
Things to See: Waters
Dive into the waters of the Chicago Wilderness:
Chain 'o Lakes State Park
Located in Spring Grove, IL
This state park borders three natural lakes and the Fox River, connecting to seven more lakes. Visitor features include foot trails, other trails, toilets a visitor center, canoe or boat launches, picnic areas and parking. For more information call (847) 587-5512.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Located at 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
The Chicago Botanic Garden has worked to restore a one-mile stretch along the Skokie River. This area features a complex of streams and upland marsh, wet savanna and mesic prairie habitats. The river showcases natural stream bank stabilization, using native plants and natural fibers to prevent erosion. For more information, call (847) 835-5440.
Harry "Bus" Yourell Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration Station
Located along the Calument-Sag Channel between Harlem and Ridgeland Avenues, Worth, IL
This island of green along the Calumet-Sag Channel features lagoons in a wooded grove. This is a good spot for walking, and birding. For more information, call (312) 751-6633.
Illinois Beach State Park
Located on the lake front in Zion, IL
Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, this site is a national natural landmark. This state park is one of the Midwest's richest, most biologically diverse areas. Visitor features include foot trails, wheelchair trails, horse or bicycle trails, toilets, a visitor center, picnic areas and parking. For more information call (847) 662-4811.
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Located near Chesterton/Porter, IN
This national lakeshore, located on Lake Michigan near Porter Indiana, has the third highest number of plant species in the National Park system and dunes dating back to Lake Michigan's birth. Visitor features include foot trails, horse trails, bicycle trails, parking, toilets, a visitor center and a picnic area. For more information, call (219) 926-7561, ext. 225.
Louis S. Viverito Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration Station
Located at Western Avenue and the Calumet-Sag Channel, Blue Island, IL
This site is a green oasis in a highly urbanized area and is a good spot for walking, birding and nature study. For more information call (312) 751-6633.
Peck Farm Park
Located at 38W199 Kaneville Road, Geneva, IL
Peck Farm Park includes a 200-acre restored tallgrass prairie and 17-acre Peck Lake. It features 2.4 miles of paved biking and running paths and is a good spot for wildlife watching, hiking, jogging, cross-country skiing biking and bird watching. For more information, call (630) 262-8244.
Powderhorn Lake, Marsh, and Prairie
Located near Brainard Avenue and Burnham/Avenue O in southeast Chicago, IL
This site includes a rare sand savanna ecosystem. Visitor features include foot trails, parking, toilets, a canoe or boat launch and picnic tables. For more information, call (708) 868-0606.
Seidner Dune and Swale State Nature Preserve
Located on Kennedy Avenue near Interstate 90 in Hammond, IN
The 43-acre preserve is located along the Grand Calumet River and contains prairie and wetland communities. This is a good spot to see wading birds such as great egrets, great blue herons, double-crested cormorants and black-crowned night herons. Glaciers created the dune and swale landscape centuries ago. Barely 1,000 acres of this type of natural landscape survives. For more information, call (219) 879-4725.
South Bank Park
Located south of the Chicago River and east of the Michigan Avenue Bridge, Chicago, IL
This site provides views of the Chicago River. A tree and flower lined path to Lake Michigan passes by the Ellen Lanyon Riverwalk Mural. For more information, call (312) 751-6633.
South Shore Cultural Center Nature Sanctuary
Located at 7059 South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
This natural area is located on the shore of Lake Michigan. It includes a boardwalk through dunes, prairie, and meadow. This is a good place for bird watching during the spring and fall migration. For more information, call (312) 747-2200.
Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve
Located in Wadsworth, IL
This forest preserve is located along the Des Plaines River and Sterling Lake. The site serves as a refuge for many native plants and animals and is a good spot to bicycle, canoe, or cross-country ski. For more information, call (847) 948-7750.
Additional resources
The John G. Shedd Aquarium features one of the world's largest and most diverse collections of aquatic animals. Its Illinois Lakes and Rivers exhibit offers visitor a chance to get a close look at some of the Chicago region's native aquatic creatures. For more information, call (312) 939-2435.
 E-mail to a friend
| |
