Publish Date

Everyone is invited to admire winter's natural beauty on January 20 and February 17 at a new location 

The Chicago Park District invites residents to join us for hot cocoa, interactive nature activities, husky sledding and more at Big Marsh Park, located at 11555 S. Stony Island Ave., on January 20, 2024, and February 17, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. This new location for Polar Adventure Days allows residents to interact with Chicago’s natural identity at a 299-acre park. This event is free.

“We’re overjoyed to invite you to this exciting educational opportunity for people of all ages!” said Chicago Park District Superintendent & CEO Rosa Escareño. “Big Marsh Park, once an industrial property, is now an oasis for Chicagoans to interact firsthand with nature.”

For more details regarding each Polar Adventure Days, visit chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/polar-adventure-days.

Only in the Winter: Unique Activities at Big Marsh Park

Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the following activities:

  • Watch teams of Huskies pull sleds throughout the park 
  • Enjoy guided hikes, snow trekking and birdwatching with BIPOC birders.
  • Build nature inspired winter crafts with Wild Indigo
  • Sip hot cocoa with marshmallows by the campfire
  • Enjoy live music from Jake Vinsel Quartet
  • Make puppets and engage with roaming Jabberwocky Marionettes
  • Listen to stories with storyteller Mama Edie
  • Learn about reptiles with Mendez Zoological 

About Big Marsh Park

Big Marsh Park is a 299-acre park in the South Deering Community Area on the southeast side of the city. It is part of an area commonly known as the Calumet Area Reserve. Once an active industrial property, the site was acquired by the Park District in 2011 and opened to the public in 2016. Big Marsh is an inviting park space for Chicago and the neighboring communities to interact with the region’s natural history.