Tawny Oaks Field Station at Singing Woods Nature Preserve

07/28/2026

🌾 Did you know Illinois was once 80% covered in vibrant prairie? Discover the hidden wonders of these incredible grasslands with us at Tawny Oaks Field Station! 🌻

Join our Prairie Walk and Talk for a guided adventure—rain or shine—where you’ll spot native plants, wildlife, and learn fascinating prairie facts. Every step is a chance to find something amazing!

🗓️ August 1st | 9–10:30am
📍 Tawny Oaks Field Station
💲 $5 per person | FREE for FPNC Members

Bring your curiosity and love for the outdoors (and bug spray)—let’s explore together! 🌱

07/15/2026

Attention: The Forest Trail has reopened!

Thanks to the hard work of our Trail Team volunteers, the bridge has been reconstructed. Using their collective engineering expertise, carpentry skills, and copious amounts of bug spray, the team was able to build a longer spanned bridge over the course of just 3 weeks. Kudos, guys!

Photos courtesy of the Trail Team.

07/14/2026

As we celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month, meet the Environmental and Interpretive Services Team who facilitate programming and natural areas management at Tawny Oaks, as well as Sommer Farm, Camp Wokanda, and Forest Park Nature Center.

🌿 Meet Team Environmental & Interpretive Services!

💥 Superpower Spotlight: The Google of Nature

Need to identify a bird? Curious about a native wildflower? Wondering what animal left those tracks? Team Environmental & Interpretive Services has an answer! Serving Forest Park Nature Center, Tawny Oaks Field Station, Camp Wokanda, and Sommer Farm, they inspire curiosity through hands-on programs, outdoor adventures, and unforgettable experiences—while also guiding the long-term stewardship of the Peoria Park District's natural lands. Their work helps protect forests, prairies, wetlands, wildlife habitats, and trails across the District, and their deep knowledge of Peoria's natural and cultural history helps bring our community's past to life. From the stories of Sommer Farm to the wonders of the natural world, they're turning every question into an outdoor adventure and every visit into a chance to learn something new.

The Power of Parks comes from the people behind them. Throughout National Parks and Recreation Month, we're celebrating the incredible teams who make the Peoria Park District a place our community loves.

👏 Thank you, Team Environmental & Interpretive Services, for all you do to help power our parks!

07/01/2026

Before you enjoy the fireworks this weekend, head to Tawny Oaks to view Mother Nature's own explosion of color in the prairie!

Our building will be open Wed. to Sat. from 10am to 4pm, including on July 4th.

Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.

06/30/2026

Tuesday trail update:
Thanks to the Peoria Park District's Forestry Crew, the Forest Trail Loop is now open.

The valley portion of the Forest Trail, from points I to B, remains closed due to a washed out bridge. Our Trail Team volunteers and staff have been working on plans for a new bridge and securing lumber. We will post updates here when that section reopens.

06/18/2026

Have some free time this Friday? The prairie is calling.

Join us for a volunteer workday from 9am to 11am on 6/19 to help remove invasive sweet clover from the prairie planting.

To register for this event, visit: https://ec.samaritan.com/custom/1562/opp_details/238425

06/12/2026

Never underestimate the power of Mother Nature, and never attempt to cross swift moving water. Thankfully only one bridge was swept away in the storms.

Today our Trail Team volunteers and staff were able to reopen much of the trail system, however there are a few sections of trail that remain closed.

For your safety, please don't cross the danger tape on the closed sections. We will post updates here when these areas are cleaned up.

06/12/2026

The storms last night did heavy damage on the trail system in Singing Woods. Please avoid hiking here on Friday as our teams are working to assess conditions. We will post a full map of trail closures here as soon as possible.

06/02/2026

A few early blooms are popping up in the prairie... and if you come early enough in the day you can see the spiderwort flowers before they close up!

Want your yard to look like a mini version of the Tawny Oaks Prairie? Stop by the Native Plant Sale this Saturday, 6/6, from 10am to 4pm. A list of what species will be available can be found here: https://oxeye-farm.weebly.com/native-plants.html

And if you want to learn more about the fascinating insects who frequent these flowers, reserve your spot for the Pollinator Walk at 1pm on Saturday: https://peoriaparks.org/event/pollinator-walk-2/

05/27/2026

Look who's back in town!
We spotted our first monarch of the season at Tawny Oaks, and she may have been laying eggs.

If you want to learn more about pollinators, or help enhance their habitat, join us on June 6th for our Native Plant Sale from 10am- 4pm. The team from Oxeye Farm & Native Plant Nursery will be on hand to answer your plant questions.

We will also be hosting a Pollinator Walk in the prairie that day starting at 1pm. To register for the walk, visit: https://peoriaparks.org/event/pollinator-walk-2/