Chicago Park District Nature Oasis 2008 Programs and Events
Release Date: 02/06/08
The Little Movie House on the Prairie March 1- Happy Feet April 5- Over the Hedge May 3- Fly Away Home Northerly Island, 1400 S. Lynn White Dr. Free All Ages Come out to NortherlyIsland as The Little Movie House on the Prairie presents a nature family film the first Saturday every month, starting February through May. Snacks and hot cocoa will be provided. Each film will be played twice a day at 10am and at 2pm.
Polar Adventure Days Feb. 23, 2008, 12-4pm Northerly Island, 1400 S. Lynn White Dr. Free All Ages Come out and enjoy winter in Chicago at the annual Polar Adventure Days event. In February you can see Siberian Huskies and other live animals, watch as amazing ice sculptures are made, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, listen to a story, make a nature craft, explore the island on snow-shoes (if there's snow) and enjoy hot cocoa. All are welcome at this family friendly event. Chris Linder, the Artic Photographer, will be on hand for a lecture.Nature Oasis Family Nights at the Garfield Park Conservatory Thursday, March 20, 5 – 7:30 pm Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Avenue Free All Ages You and your family can explore the Garfield Park Conservatory after hours. The conservatory is especially dramatic at night (and less crowded!) There will be nature crafts, a scavenger hunt and refreshments. Please call 312.742.5039 to register in advance. Humboldt Park Earth Day Clean-up & Celebration Saturday, April 19 9am – 2pm 9am – noon: Clean-up of the park with Friends of the Parks 11 – 2pm: Celebration Humboldt Park (at the Boathouse), 1359 N. Sacramento Boulevard Make a difference on Earth Day by helping clean and preserve HumboldtPark. Afterwards enjoy entertainment and activities such as hands-on nature crafts, music, community resources and more. This event is free and for all ages. No registration required. Spring Toddler Romp Saturday, May 3, 10 – 11:30am Winnemac Park (at play lot near Argyle and Leavitt), 5100 N. Leavitt Street Free Ages 5 and under with an adult We’ll have costumes and critters and puppets and more! No registration required.
Home Tweet Home Saturday, May 10; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Montrose Point, 4400 N Montrose at Lake Michigan Get a bird’s eye view as we watch birds migrate home for the spring. Come learn all about birds, go bird watching and make a bird craft to take home. This is a free event and no registration is required. Meet at the beach house
Stroller Struts You’re never too young to enjoy nature! These guided walks are geared toward parents, grandparents, caregivers and their wee ones who’d like to explore our parks, stretch their legs and learn something new about the natural areas right here in the city. These events are free and for children 3 and under (with an adult). Other family members are welcome. Please call 312.742.5039 to register and receive details on meeting spots.Thursday, June 5; 10 a.m. ·Winnemac Park, 5100 N. Leavitt St.
Saturday, June 7; 10 a.m. · South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr.
Thursday, June 12; 10 a.m. ·The NotebaertNatureMuseum (North pond)
Thursday, July 17; 10 a.m. ·Gompers Park, 4222 W. Foster Ave.
Thursday, August 7; 10 a.m. ·Northerly Island, 1400 S. Lynne White Dr.
Saturday, August 16; 10 a.m. ·Gompers Park, 4222 W. Foster Ave.
Thursday, August 21; 10 a.m. ·The NotebaertNatureMuseum, 2435 N. Cannon Dr. (Lily Pond)
Wednesday, August 27; 10 a.m. ·Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave.
Toddlers, Tunes & Turtles- Expanded! This is an introduction to nature in our parks for the knee-high set! We’ll sing songs with musicians from Old Town School of Folk Music, meet live animals, have toddler-friendly nature activities and healthy refreshments. You’re welcome to bring along a picnic dinner. These events are free and for children 5 and under (with an adult). No registration required.Wednesday, June 4; 5 – 7 p.m. ·South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr.
Thursday, June 19; 5 - 7 p.m. ·Gompers Park, 4222 W. Foster Ave.
Saturday, June 21; 10 - 11:30 a.m. ·Winnemac Park, 5100 N. Leavitt St.
Wednesday, June 25; 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. ·Kilbourn Park, 3501 N. Kilbourn Ave.
Thursday, July 10; 5 - 7 p.m. ·Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave.
Wednesday, July 23; 5 – 7 p.m. ·The NotebaertNatureMuseum, 2435 N. Cannon Dr.
Thursday, September 4; 5 - 7 p.m. ·South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr.
Thursday, September 11; 5 - 7 p.m. ·Gompers Park, 4222 W. Foster Ave.
Birding Workshops - Expanded! It’s never too late or too soon to start birding. Birding is something you can do anywhere, but Chicago’s parks are ideal places to see a wide variety of our feathered friends. These workshops are led by Tadas Birutis, who runs Lifebird Nature Tours. Tadas makes birding accessible, easy and fun! You’ll learn how to use binoculars, how to better spot birds and how to look for specific characteristics. These events are free and for all ages. Prior registration is required for each workshop. Call 312.742.5039 to register in advance.
Saturday, March 8; 9 a.m. ·Jackson Park (Wooded Island), 6401 S. Stony Island Ave.
Saturday, April 5; 9 a.m. ·The NotebaertNatureMuseum, 2435 N. Cannon Dr.
Saturday, May 3; 9 a.m. ·Washington Park, 5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr.
Saturday, May 10; 9 a.m. ·Montrose Point, 4400 N Montrose Ave. and Lake Michigan
Saturday, June 7; 9 a.m. ·Lake Calumet (will meet at CalumetPark, 9801 S. Ave. G and take a school bus over)
Saturday, September 13; 9 a.m. ·Northerly Island, 1400 S. Lynne White Dr.
Quest Days Is your family ready for a challenge? If so, we recommend the 2007 Park Quest. The Park Quest is a little Treasure Hunt, a little Amazing Race, and a lot of fun! During these programs you will find clues, solve problems and discover what is unique about the nature in your local park. You may have to read a map, use a compass and solve riddles about the natural areas in the parks listed below. Complete more that two Quests this year and receive a Nature Oasis patch. Families are encouraged to pack lunches and enjoy a picnic in the park. These events are free and for all ages. No registration required.Tuesday, March 18; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ·Douglas Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Ave.
Wednesday, March 19; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ·Marquette Park, 6734 S. Kedzie Ave
Saturday, June 21; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ·Jackson Park (Wooded Island), 6401 S. Stony Island Ave.
Saturday, July 19; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ·Northerly Island, 1400 S. Lynn White Dr.
Saturday, September 20; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ·Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave.
Family Fish Festival We’re going fishin’! Come explore McKinleyPark and its’ wonderful wetland to do all things fishy. Meet the Park District’s very own Fishin’ Guys, catch a fish, learn how to tie a fly, make a fish craft, learn about native and non-native species of fish in our area and even hear some Fish Tales with a storyteller. Funny hats are encouraged. This event is free and for all ages. No registration required.
Saturday, July 12; 1 – 4 p.m. ·McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd.
Nature Oasis Family Overnighters Camp overnight with your family in a park and enjoy the great outdoors! In addition to sleeping in tents, families will fish, take a nature walk and roast marshmallows over a campfire. Sleeping bags, tents, food (dinner and breakfast) and security will be provided. The fee is $40 per family. For children age 6-12 with family member(s). Due to limited space and the popularity of this program, if you have camped with us two or more times in the past, you’re not eligible to camp this year. You must register in advance by mail for these events. For a registration form, please call 312.742.play.Grandparents Overnighter Saturday, September 6, 2pm – Sunday, September 7, 10am ·South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr.
Saturday, September 13, 2pm – Sunday, September 14, 10am ·South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr.
Saturday, September 20, 2pm – Sunday, September 21, 10am ·Gompers Park, 4222 W. Foster Ave.
Saturday, September 27, 2pm – Sunday, September 28, 10am ·Jackson Park (Wooded Island), 6401 S. Stony Island Ave.
Saturday, October 4, 2pm – Sunday, October 5, 10am ·Northerly Island, 1400 S. Lynn White Dr.
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529