What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday 9am - 4pm Sunday 9am - 4pm

North Park Village Nature Center

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North Park Village Nature Center

North Park Village Nature Center features a 46-acre nature preserve and educational facility, situated within North Park Village campus.
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North Park Village Nature Center's 46-acre preserve is open daily from 9am-4pm except seasonal and holiday schedules. Parking and entry to the preserve and Nature Center are free. Chicago Park District Coronavirus Response: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/coronavirus-response

Interested in an organized group visit? A group visit is any group of 10 or more people visiting the Nature Center and

preserve together: Field Trip | Groups | Scouts and Girl Scouts

Due to staff capacity North Park Village Nature Center is only able to accept self-guided group requests at this time and guided requests on a case-by-case basis. Responses to requests may be delayed. Field Trip | Groups | Scouts and Girl Scouts
The Nature Center’s 46-acre preserve offers opportunities to explore the diverse habitats of the Illinois woodland, wetland, prairie, and savanna. Schools, homeschools, scouts and other groups may visit the preserve throughout the year for self-guided, seasonal experiences. Reservations are required for all trips. Reservations are required at least two weeks prior to all group visits. All groups must have at least one adult for every ten children. Groups are welcome to have lunch at picnic tables behind the Nature Center on a first come first serve basis. Please note that there are no indoor eating facilities and there are no vending machines at the nature center. Fees:
There is no charge for Chicago-area schools and self-guided group visits. Girl Scout and Scout experiences are $10/participant. There is no cost for Chaperones and leaders. SUBMIT A GROUP VISIT APPLICATION:
http://apm.activecommunities.com/chicagoparkdistrict/Activity_Search/407110

11/13/2024

Looking for some Saturday fun in November? Check out these FREE, family friendly events at North Park Village Nature Center:

🔍 Learning to Look, Looking to See: Sat, Nov 16th; 11 am -12 pm

Join us as we explore and expand our observational skills 👀 We will discover the difference between looking and seeing as we slow down and use all of our senses 👂 to sink deeper into our environment 🌳Actively noticing our surroundings is a way of appreciating, respecting, and learning 🧠 more about the natural world. We encourage you to bring your own nature journal, otherwise paper will be supplied.

🦉All About Owls: Sat, Nov 23rd; 10 -11 am

Join Chicago Ornithological Society (COS) at the Nature Center as we take a deep dive into everything we know about Chicago's many owls! (Note, this program is an informational presentation about owls)

📔Storytelling Saturday at NPV: Sat, Nov 23rd; 11 am -12:30 pm

Get inspired by a story time in the woodlands 🌳 before returning to the Nature Center to create your own story! ✍️Parents and children will work together to do some simple book binding that they will then use their imaginations to fill. All ages, materials provided.

11/06/2024

North Park Village Nature Center and Trails will be closed on Monday November 11th (Veterans Day) and reopen Tuesday November 12th at 9am.
🚶🏿‍♂️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶‍♀️Still looking to hike? Check out 🌳Natural Area, just a 5- minute walk east of the Nature Center's parking lot. Open daily dawn to dusk.

10/31/2024

🦉Got owls on the brain? Swoop by the Nature Center one of these evenings or weekends to look, listen, and learn about owls!

🤓All About Owls: Sunday, Nov 10th; 12-1 pm
Join Chicago Ornithological Society (COS) at the Nature Center as we take a deep dive into everything we know about Chicago's many owls! (Note, this program is an informational presentation about owls)

🔎Family & Adult Owl Prowls: Wed, Nov 20th; 6-7 pm & 7-8 pm
Join COS as we look for owls of all kinds around the Nature Center grounds. We ask that families join for the earlier time (6-7 pm) and adults join for the later time (7-8 pm). This program will mostly take place outdoors, so dress warmly!

🤓All About Owls: Saturday, Nov 23rd; 10-11 am

🦉All Ages Family Owl Prowl: Thursday, Dec 5; 6-7:30 pm
Join COS as we look for owls of all kinds around the Nature Center grounds. This program will mostly take place outdoors, so dress warmly!

🔎Family & Adult Owl Prowls: Wed, Dec 11th; 6-7 pm & 7-8 pm

Pictured is an eastern screech owl resting in a snag at North Park Village Nature Center

10/22/2024

🧘Join Colette Wright Adams this upcoming Saturday at North Park Village Nature Center for a Visioning and Intuitive Collage. From 10:00-11:30 am enjoy the sights and sounds of nature as you draw inspiration from the natural world to create your personal card 🌳

Supplies provided for up to 20 participants: ages 18+, please. FREE event with FREE parking!

See you there 👋

10/11/2024

The natural world is full of unique shapes, patterns, and textures. 🌿 Join Nature Center staff this upcoming Saturday, October 12th for Anything But a Brush! From 10:00-11:00 am we will spend time out in nature to notice and collect loose natural materials. After the walk, we will return to the Nature Center to create art. The only rule- no paintbrushes! 👍

Come roll, press, swipe, and stamp with us 🎨

10/08/2024

Join Opera- Matic this upcoming Friday, October 11th at North Park Village Nature Center. From 12-2 pm you can join in on the fun with their FREE program, Balance & Bliss. With musical odes, meditation, origami, and so much more, you won't want to miss it!

RSVP using the link below: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/balance-bliss-tickets-1015701449377?aff=oddtdtcreator

See you there 👋

10/07/2024

North Park Village Nature Center and Trails will be closed on Monday October 14 (Indigenous People's Day) and reopen Tuesday October 15th at 9am.
🚶🏿‍♂️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶‍♀️Still looking to hike? Check out 🌳Natural Area, just a 5- minute walk east of the Nature Center's parking lot. Open daily dawn to dusk.

10/01/2024

💫Join Chicago Astronomer this Friday, October 4th from 6:30-8:30 pm on the front lawn of North Park Village Nature Center.

👀What will you see when you peek through the telescope? Constellations of stars? ⭐️ Rarely seen planets? 🪐Visit the preserve after hours to find out! 🦉

NOTE: This event is weather-dependent. Please check Facebook often for relevant event updates.

09/25/2024

Do you smell the pumpkin 🎃 spice in the air? We do, too! That's our call to kick off . Chicago Park District's delightfully frightful & boo-tiful autumn season of events include loads of pumpkin patches, harvest fests, monster bashes, and haunted houses.
👉 Mark your calendars! Browse the list of events at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/halloween. Presented by Mars Wrigley.

Events at North Park Village Nature Center include:
🍂Saturday, October 19, 2024 - 10:00am- Fall Festival at NPV
🍂Sunday, October 20, 2024 - 10:00am- Fall Festival at NPV

09/20/2024

📣Calling all teens: spend your Saturdays this fall out in nature at North Park Village Nature Center! 🍂Starting next Saturday, September 28th and running through November 16th, Teen Placemaking will kick off its Fall session! 🐝

😎This intentional time together will be spent exploring the preserve, creating a meaningful gathering space for teens by teens. We'll also collaborate together on fun projects that benefit the wildlife that live here at NPVNC 🐢❤️🦋

This program is open to all high school aged teens and may fulfill service learning hour requirements. Questions? Call the Nature Center at 312-744-5472 and ask for Lauren!

09/14/2024

09/12/2024

Come out to the Nature Center on Saturday, September 21st from 10:30 am-1:30 pm to celebrate the Mitote fall equinox!

Mitote is a traditional náhuatl term that includes gathering, dance, and celebration. Come join in ancestral Aztec Dance, to honor the natural elements in coordinated physical movement with drumming and music, make art, and build community to deepen our connections to land and caring for our future generations.

This event is free and brought to you by the Night Out in the Parks team! All are welcome. Free parking. Service animals only, please.

08/29/2024

📣Next Saturday, September 7th kicks off Fall 🍂 Migratory 🐦 Bird 🚶Walks at North Park Village Nature Center! This program will meet every Saturday at 8 am from September 7- October 26th.

🌳The trails will open at 8 am for birders and hikers alike. Join a group of birders or enjoy a self-guided walk along the trails. Beginners are welcome!

🧐Binoculars and field guides are available for free use upon request once the Nature Center opens at 9 am. Co-sponsored with Chicago Bird Alliance 🐦

08/27/2024

North Park Village Nature Center and Trails will be closed on Monday September 2nd (Labor Day) and reopen Tuesday September 3rd at 9am.
🚶🏿‍♂️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶‍♀️Still looking to hike? Check out 🌳Natural Area, just a 5- minute walk east of the Nature Center's parking lot. Open daily dawn to dusk. Check out the story walk, La Posada, while you're over there!

08/22/2024

Reminder that this Saturday, August 24th is Monarch 🦋 Palooza at North Park Village Nature Center! Join in on the fun from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Enjoy family friendly activities that highlight monarch conservation, participate in kid-friendly crafts, and enjoy the day exploring the preserve🌳

Be sure to check out Son Monarcas for their workshop (10-11 am) and performance (11:30 am-12:30 pm); participate in a community art project with Little Village Busy Bees (10 am-3 pm); and get your face painted to show your love for monarchs! 🧡

This event is FREE and open to EVERYONE! 😀

See you Saturday 👋

08/19/2024

Monarch Palooza 🦋 is taking over North Park Village Nature Center on Sat., Aug. 24 from 10am-3pm with fun science & art activities for the whole family! It's 🆓.
Make a day out of it & visit neighboring West Ridge or River Park’s natural areas to see “Flight of Butterflies” sculptures.
👉Details at https://bit.ly/MonarchPalooza2024.
👉Watch the video to learn more about the event: https://bit.ly/3yTdkk7

A highlight video of the annual Monarch Palooza festival at North Park Village Nature Center that showcases cultural connections to Indigenous communities an...

08/03/2024

❗️Online Registration for the Nature Center's 🍂 FALL programs are on Monday August 5th at 9am!⏰
Register for:
🌻Little Naturalists- unique nature play-based early childhood educational program.
🙌🤯Now offering two sessions!
Tues & Thurs 9:30am-12pm, starts 9/3 and Wed & Fri 9:30am-12pm, starts 9/11.

🌳Teen Placemaking -Teens spend time exploring the preserve, examining participant's relationship to nature, and creating a meaningful gathering space for teens by teens.

🧘‍♀️Yoga at NPV- Hatha Yoga instruction for adults

Address

5801 N Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL
60646

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm
Saturday	9am - 4pm
Sunday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

+13127445472

Website

https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/north-park-village-nature-center-park

Alerts

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Videos

Two days until the annual Fall Festival at North Park Village Nature Center! This event will take place, rain or shine, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am- 3 pm. Hope to see you there! 👋

Snowy Springtime in Chicago

Signs of spring in Chicago:☀️🐣❤❄🥶💙 #ChiNatureCenter #weather #seasons

Thank you to everyone who came out last night for Winter Solstice Festival: 25 years! and to The Chicago Astronomer🔭 and Black Circle🔥 for making the event SHINE! Have a cool photo from your visit? Shares pictures and memories on our page. #wintersolstice2021 📸:Jennifer Krause #ChiNatureCenter #Solstice #fire #night

A day at the Nature Center.

Maple Syrup Festival this Saturday, March 27 at 10 am

2019 Monarch Palooza

Amplifying the Michoacán community’s cultural and scientific knowledge about the monarch butterfly: Do you remember the 2019 Monarch Palooza? One year ago, our partner Son Monarcas shared with us their cultural and musical performance. #ChiNatureCenter #naturewithoutborders #culturalknowledge Monarch-Palooza: a virtual event

Looking for fresh, seasonal produce today? Head over to Fall Fest at the Nature Center and shop at the farmer's market. We also have live music, storytelling, native IL seeds to take home, a leaf pile for jumping and a scarecrow building contest! Fall fest is free, today 10am-3pm! #ChiNatureCenter

Son Monarcas performs at Monarch-Palooza!

Son Monarcas at Monarch Palooza

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Our Story

There are public programs for preschoolers, school age children, families and adults. EcoExplorers summer day camp focuses on nature-based games and learning activities for children aged 5-14 years old. Neighborhood Naturalists is a special outreach program serving third graders in Chicago Public Schools. Volunteers find many ways to express their interests at the Nature Center, including helping lead field trips, assisting during festivals, greeting visitors at the reception desk, and participating in ecological restoration efforts. The mission of North Park Village Nature Center is to provide visitors with an opportunity to interact with and learn about wildlife and natural resources in an urban setting. There are programs, events and activities for all ages to enjoy while discovering our shared natural heritage at the first nature center within the city of Chicago. Open 7 days a week (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays) from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Whether you seek serenity, a place to spot a rare bird, or a place to volunteer your time and talent, visit this oasis of nature in the city – this hidden gem.