Find Wildlife

Looking for a natural hidden gem in Chicago? The North Park Village Nature Center fits the bill! This 46-acre sanctuary offers a chance to commune with nature, learn about the local wildlife, and experience it! Nestled between Peterson and Bryn Mawr Avenues, the nature center provides a tranquil escape from the liveliness of the city. Don’t be fooled by the surroundings! Although there is a nearby senior living facility, gymnasium, and park, the North Park Village Nature Center still provides a great amount of seclusion from daily life, making it a perfect spot to experience nature without leaving the city, and here’s what you need to know:

The center boasts a mission to connect visitors (especially children) with scenic nature, which makes coming here such a fun experience for little ones. The horticulturists here are extremely helpful in assisting your questions regarding what plants are around you. Accessible from Pulaski Avenue, the nature center has a conveniently placed parking lot in front of the entrance. Remember to check where you are parking, because the lot is shared with the nearby senior living facility, and on event days, you might need to wait for a place to park.

At the entrance, there is a beautiful butterfly garden that attracts local and migratory butterflies and moths as well as bees and other pollinators. Straight ahead is the nature center’s building, which houses restrooms, event spaces, and interactive areas for all ages to learn about plants and animals as well as the site’s history. The building is accessible from the front and back stairs as well as side stairs with a wheelchair ramp.

Alongside the building are various trails leading visitors through four different natural habitats: oak savanna, wetlands, woodlands, and prairie. We visited around mid-May and found a variety of birds like the House Wren and American Goldfinch upon entry. In addition, many American Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds fly overhead, claiming the habitat as their own. Although I’m writing about the specific outing I had with West, I’ve been lucky enough to visit this nature center for nearly all of my life for their annual Maple Syrup Festival held at the end of winter. Even with yearly visits, I still manage to see different birds and have new experiences each time, making it a wonderful place to escape the city and unwind.

Taking a trail to the far right of the nature center brings you to a tall hill, which you climb using built-in steps. At the top, you can see across the wetlands which is a truly beautiful sight. The hike down the trail leads you into the wetlands on a small pathway surrounded by tall grasses like annual rabbitsfoot grass, as well as some lilypads and other marsh plants. This is the best place to see the red-winged blackbird, because they love tall grasses and will gladly sing in your ear and you admire their beauty. As you continue, you enter the woodlands and oak savanna. Mallard ducks and Canada geese can be found roaming these areas as well. We even saw some goslings waddling alongside their parents!

If you stay still enough, you might catch deer wandering deep in the trees or small chipmunks crawling in the grass. We did our best to get glimpses of a white-tailed deer peeking through the bushes, but in the end, it wandered back to its hiding spot, so consider yourself lucky if it poses for a picture! Looking up into the trees in the woodlands and listening really closely may lead you to a red-bellied woodpecker pecking away into the tallest of trees.

The nature center is a prime spot for spotting both feathered friends and fluttering butterflies, so photographers and bird watchers alike will surely enjoy their sightings. For birdwatchers, binoculars are a must when you enter the woodland area because of the lush trees. For photographers, any camera that zooms (including your phone) will help you identify birds more easily.

Make the most of your nature exploration by following these recommendations:

• Head to the park in the morning or early afternoon for the most comfortable experience.
• Consider volunteering – it’s a fantastic way to give back and get even more involved with this urban oasis.
• Leave your furry friends at home for this one! Only service animals are welcome into the nature center.
• Check the Chicago Park District’s website for more information on educational programs and events hosted here before planning your visit.

The North Park Village Nature Center is a must-visit for anyone seeking a nature escape in Chicago. With its educational programs (including the aforementioned Maple Syrup Festival!), diverse wildlife, and easy accessibility, everyone is welcome to explore nature at their own pace. Grab a snack and your walking shoes, and head on over to this beautiful city treasure!

Wildlife sightings: American Goldfinch, American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, House Wren*, White-tailed Deer,  Red-bellied Woodpecker, Canada Goose, Mallard Duck

*seasonal