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Nature in the Parks

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Seedlings and plants growing in a shade tunnel.

Throughout Chicago, our park system is filled with nature. The city's parks contain more than 1,900 acres of critical habitat for local and migratory wildlife, accounting for more than 20% of our total parkland. These unique places, and the programs & events offered within them, provide vast opportunities to improve one's physical and mental health.

There are many ways to get your nature fix in the city. Join us for a program, such as camping, gardening, and fishing; attend a nature event in the parks with your family and friends; or enjoy a peaceful afternoon or a mindful walk in a natural area. Volunteer in a natural area by participating in a community stewardship workday or check out one of the many community science projects happening throughout the parks year-round.

With so much to offer the nature enthusiast, it's no wonder that Chicago is dubbed the "City in a Garden."  Learn more about nature activities and spaces below.

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NASCAR Chicago Street Race logo

 

Harvest Garden & Community Roots programs supported in part by NASCAR Chicago.

Programs

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Two children and a park worker play with sticks in a park.

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Four children wearing gardening gloves tend to plants in a raised garden bed.

Featured Programs

Events

34 Events

Community Bonfire at Tuley

Climbing Skills Practice at Steelworkers

Community Bonfire at Rowan

Community Bonfire at Rowan

RiverLab: Bat Monitoring Walk at River

RiverLab: Bat Monitoring Walk at River

RiverLab: Native Seed Paddle at River

RiverLab: Native Seed Paddle at River

RiverLab: River Cleanup Paddle at River

RiverLab: River Cleanup Paddle at River

Early Bird Walks at NPV

Youth Learn to Climb at Steelworkers

RiverLab: Morning Birding Paddle at River

RiverLab: Morning Birding Paddle at River

Birds, Bikes, and Beats at Big Marsh

Learn to Climb at Steelworkers

RiverLab: Natural Dye with Buckthorn at River

RiverLab: Natural Dye with Buckthorn at River

Animal Tales at Big Marsh

Community Bonfire at Winnemac

Community Bonfire at Armour Square

RiverLab: Fall Foliage Paddle at River

RiverLab: Fall Foliage Paddle at River

Chicago Astronomer at Park No. 596

Chicago Astronomer at Park No. 596

Early Bird Walks at NPV

RiverLab: Neighborhood Campfire at River

RiverLab: Neighborhood Campfire at River

Set In Stone gathering space Mid-Autumn Festival at Burnham

Community Bonfire at Altgeld

Climbing Skills Practice at Steelworkers

Community Bonfire at Gompers

RiverLab: Fall Foliage Paddle at River

RiverLab: Fall Foliage Paddle at River

Early Bird Walks at NPV

Learn to Lead Climb at Steelworkers

RiverLab: World Migratory Bird Day Bookbinding at River

RiverLab: World Migratory Bird Day Bookbinding at River

Fall Floral Bouquets at Skinner

RiverLab: Neighborhood Campfire at River

RiverLab: Neighborhood Campfire at River

Community Bonfire at Piotrowski

Community Bonfire at Buena Circle

Early Bird Walks at NPV

Stewardship Days at Big Marsh

Trunk or Treat Volunteer at Addams