Pilcher Park Nature Center

04/16/2026

The Bells are in bloom! Come out and enjoy the beautiful blanket of Spring!

04/07/2026

Join Casey for a stroll with your furry BFF and family! Next program date is April 18th at 10-1130 AM. Register today!

04/07/2026

Ready to frolic and have fun? Fairy and Gnome Frolic is May 2nd 9-12pm.

04/07/2026

Spring wildflowers are beginning their beautiful show in Pilcher Park. Join Kate for a stroll to enjoy their splendor! April 18th 1-230p.

Spring Bloom Quest: Hike, Spot, Sketch! 🌸 🌱

Take some time to slow down and notice the fleeting wildflowers that appear before the forest fully wakes up! You’ll learn why these plants bloom so early, play a game to sharpen your observation skills, and enjoy a relaxed sketch hike where you’ll create a simple field journal, capturing the colors, shapes, and small details that make each flower unique.

Please dress for hiking on uneven, natural trails and for spring weather.

📅 Saturday | April 18
🕐 1:00p-2:30p
🌼 Ages 8-12
🌸 $9/registrant
📍Pilcher Park Nature Center | 2501 Highland Park Dr. Joliet, IL

REGISTER > https://ow.ly/zrE950YlW9o
*pre-registration is required

04/07/2026

Hop over to Pilcher Park Nature Center for a jumping good time! Learn about frogs of Illinois and search for some that live in the park. April 22nd 7-830pm.

🐸 Frogs, Toads & Campfire Fun!

Learn about frogs and toads native to Illinois! You will discover their different calls, where they live, how they catch their food, and their different habitats. We'll roast marshmallows around a cozy campfire then we'll take a hike, search for frogs, and learn some more about them.

📅 Wed | April 22
🕖 7-8:30p
🐸 Ages 5+ | $8/person
📍Pilcher Park Nature Center
*Bring your flashlights and dress for the weather.

Please pre-register for this program.
REGISTER > https://ow.ly/zGu850YsvQL

04/07/2026

Looking for a story, a hike, and a craft? Join us April 20th 10-11 AM.

04/07/2026

Join Nate the Naturalist for Bird Brains on April 19th.

🐦 That's un-bird-lievable!
Be ready to welcome our wonderful, winged friends as they return from their voyage. Explore and venture through a local natural habitat of our avian residents. Learn and discuss about niche characteristics and behaviors between some of our favorite backyard visitors.

🗓️ Sunday | April 19 | 12-1:30p
⭐ $8/Person | All Ages
📍 Pilcher Park Nature Center

📌 Register > https://ow.ly/Tecg50Yy99p

04/07/2026

Wondering which plants are helpful in the forest or which could hurt? Check out Friend or Foe! April 26th 1-230p

🌱 Friend or Foe? If you register you'll know!
Join us for a guided nature walk and learn what is a friend or foe! A mile round trip through the woods and wildflowers. Why is poison ivy itchy? Is skunk cabbage edible for animals? Which berries are poisonous to humans? Make sure to wear proper attire for walking on uneven, natural trails and for spring weather.

🗓️ Sunday | April 26
⭐ 1-2:30p | Ages 5+ | $8/person
📍 Pilcher Park Nature Center

📌 Register > https://ow.ly/w8Oj50YB8He

04/07/2026

Celebrate Earth Day by giving back to Pilcher Park! Join us April 25th 9-12pm. All ages

🌎 Celebrate Earth Day at Pilcher Park Nature Center!
Join us for active stewardship work in Pilcher Park. We will have stations working to remove invasive plants, cleaning up the gardens around the nature center, and picking up garbage. Stewardship is a good opportunity for community service hours for high school students, scout, and church groups. Registration is not required for this event. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate at each station.

🗓️ Saturday | April 25 | 9-12p
⭐ All Ages | Pilcher Park Nature Center

04/04/2026

Due to heavy rainfall, Pilcher Park roads will be closed for safety and some trails may be flooded.

Please use the Cass St. entrance to access the Nature Center.

Thank you.

04/01/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out for Spring Ceramics. So many beautiful pieces were painted. It was a record year! All pieces have been fired, bagged up and are ready to be picked up!