Lowell Park Nature Center

06/10/2026

We had a splashing good time at the Nature Center this morning diving into the playful world of North American river otters!

There is nothing quite like watching children get completely lost in creativity, storytelling, and asking lots of questions!

Today, our young naturalists explored the dynamic intersection of land and water habitats, focusing on how these semi-aquatic animals thrive right in our own backyard along the Rock River.

We paired our read-aloud of Otter Play with some fascinating local ecology lessons:

Life in Two Worlds: We compared land and aquatic animals, learning how river otters serve as the ultimate bridge between both systems. The kids discovered how otters sleep on land but have incredible underwater adaptations, like webbed feet, waterproof fur, and ears and nostrils that snap completely shut when they dive.

The Rock River Food Chain: We mapped out our local aquatic food web to understand who eats what beneath the surface. The kids tracked energy from river plants and algae to filter-feeding freshwater mussels and crayfish, up to local fish like sunfish and bluegills, and finally to the river otter, the ultimate apex predator of our river system.

Subterranean Neighbors: Tying back to our exploration of earth layers, we looked at how otters build their dens, or holts, tucked safely into the riverbanks, using the edge of the soil crust to rest after a long day of hunting.

Our explorers brought this science to life through two beautiful projects. They painted gorgeous, fluid water rings on canvas to showcase an otter's aquatic habitat and constructed 3D river otters from Lowell Park pinecones, each holding their favorite riverbed snacks.

We can’t wait for tomorrow’s lessons on bats and nocturnal animals!

06/10/2026

06/09/2026

🌸 A Huge Thanks to Our Maintenance Team! 🌸

If you’ve walked past the front doors of the nature center recently, you’ve likely noticed the beautiful purple blooms of Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) buzzing with life!

We want to give a massive shout-out to our incredible maintenance team, who worked hard planting these last fall. Because of their efforts, our entrance is not only welcoming to visitors, but it's also serving as a vital diner for our local pollinators.

Did You Know? 🐝

The Power of Pollination: While we often think of honeybees, a massive team of birds, bees, butterflies, beetles, and flies is hard at work keeping our ecosystems alive.

One Out of Every Three Bites: Statistically, about 35% of global food crops and almost 80% of all flowering plants depend directly on animal pollinators to reproduce. Without these helpful critters, our grocery stores, gardens, and forests would look incredibly bare!

Want to bring some of this magic to your own backyard?

Here are a few hardy, low-maintenance native perennials that come back year after year, boast impressive lifespans, and are absolute magnets for pollinators:

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): An absolute staple of the local landscape. It is incredibly drought-tolerant, lives for years, and features beautiful purple petals that goldfinches and butterflies adore.

Wild Bergamot / Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa): A highly resilient perennial with distinct, lavender pom-pom blossoms. It spreads readily into a beautiful patch and is a top-tier favorite for bumblebees and hummingbirds.

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta / Rudbeckia fulgida): Known for its cheerful golden petals and dark centers. The perennial varieties are exceptionally tough, self-seed easily, and provide continuous color from mid-summer straight into autumn.

Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis): Just like the ones out front! This plant is practically bulletproof, handles everything from full sun to partial shade, and can thrive for decades while continually producing fresh morning blooms all summer long.

Next time you see a member of our maintenance crew out on the grounds, please join us in thanking them for helping our center and our local ecosystem thrive!

06/09/2026

The ants went marching one by one right through the Nature Center this morning!

There is something so incredibly cozy about a morning filled with music, storytelling, and hands-on creating.

Today, our little explorers dove into the hidden world of our tiniest, mightiest neighbors after reading “Ant Party”.

Beyond the celebration, we learned some incredible science about these little workers, beautifully tying into yesterday's lesson on how energy and nutrients move through our ecosystem:

Mighty Neighbors: A single ant can carry up to 50 times its own body weight. To put that in perspective for the kids, that is the equivalent of a human lifting a whole picnic table over their head.

Underground Cities: The anthills we see along the Lowell Park trails are just the front doors to massive underground networks. These subterranean tunnels play a vital role in aerating the soil crust, bringing oxygen down to the root systems of plants, which serves as the foundational producer of our local food chain.

Forest Cleaners: Ants are nature’s ultimate team players and tiny recycling crews, turning fallen leaves into nutrient-rich soil. As opportunistic omnivores, they provided a perfect real-world example of our ongoing lesson on "who eats what" in the wild.

We marched together and sang "The Ants Go Marching One by One" as we searched for active colonies along the path, and we capped off our morning by making a classic childhood favorite snack: Ants on a Log.

Watching these kids connect with the earth, create beautiful art, and laugh together is truly the best way to spend a morning. Safe to say, our hearts and our stomachs are completely full.

06/08/2026

🦁🍂 Dirt, worms, and lions, oh my! We had the absolute best morning at the Nature Center exploring the "Circle of Life" from the ground up!

We started by reading I Won’t Eat That, learned how energy moves through nature's food chain, and then built our very own "King of the Jungle" using real fallen leaves from right here in the park.

The grand finale? Cultivating our own edible "Decomposer Dirt Cakes" to celebrate the tiny worms that keep our forest soil healthy and green!

Safe to say, these little naturalists know exactly who eats what now!

Tomorrow’s camp is all about ants. 🐜 🐜 🐜

06/06/2026

Our latest "Nature Fun with Little Ones" session was a total blast! We explored the fascinating world of birds and how their beaks are the exact “tools” they need to eat!

Science is always better when you get to make a little bit of a mess and have a lot of fun! Thank you to everyone who joined us!

06/05/2026

Every Footprint Matters: A New Piece of the Lowell Park Puzzle

Since 1907, Lowell Park has been a sanctuary for our community. It is the breathtaking space it is today because of the vision of incredibly famous figures, visionaries like the Olmsted brothers, Arthur Comey, O.C. Simmons, and Ronald Reagan. But historical names are only one part of the story.

The true soul of Lowell Park has always been shaped by the incredible amount of love and support from everyday people. People who believe in the simplicity of day-to-day living.

It belongs to the families who watch the birds, the quiet observers admiring the deer, the walkers sharing paths with the squirrels and chipmunks, and the local fishers whose biggest pride in life is pulling a catfish from our shores.

Every single person has mattered. Every visitor, big and "small," has left a permanent footprint on this land.

In Loving Memory of Bob Leslie

We are incredibly moved to share our newest installation, visible in the beautiful outdoor classroom, this educational birding display is dedicated in loving memory of Bob Leslie, celebrating his remarkable 65 years of deep love for Lowell Park.

As the director, I want to be entirely transparent: I had no hand in creating this. This project was brought to life completely through the loving patience and coordinated efforts of community members who painstakingly hand-picked each bird featured on the educational panel.

The truth is, I am no bigger of a piece of the continually growing puzzle of Lowell Park than anyone else. We are all caretakers of this beautiful legacy. We are profoundly thankful for every hand that helps, every eye that admires, and the massive community of love that surrounds our park.

Next time you walk the trails, take a moment to step onto our platform, look out into the trees, and enjoy the birds just as Bob did.

06/05/2026

Thinking about joining us on the water but not sure what to expect?

Consider this your exclusive virtual tour! We put together this quick glimpse of our Guided Sunset Eco-Tours so our friends near and far can see exactly what makes an evening on the Rock River so amazing.

From the peaceful ripple of the water to the towering limestone bluffs and the sun dipping below the trees, it’s the ultimate way to unwind.

If you’ve been on the edge of booking, this is your sign to grab a paddle!

The Details:

Who: Perfect for all skill levels, led by our guide, Ana!

Group Size: Small, intimate groups of 3–8 people.

Where: Kayak rentals are ready for you at the Lowell Park boat docks.

Spaces are limited! Visit Lowellpark.com/ecotours today!!!

06/05/2026

🚨🚨Location Change🚨🚨

Due to rain in the forecast for tomorrow - The Boys Adventure camp is being moved to The Dixon Park District Facility at the Meadows!