Forest Park Nature Center

08/16/2026

Hundred Mile Hiker Maria Inman hit her 250 miles this summer, and she's already working her way toward 500! Maria enjoys hiking for the exercise, solace, and mental clarity it provides. 🥾

You can become a Hundred Mile Hiker by registering at www.peoriaparks.org/memberships.

08/15/2026

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Illinois River Sweep! Spend a rewarding morning cleaning up trash and making a difference with a team along the Illinois River. Learn more and sign up at https://ec.samaritan.com/custom/1562/opp_details/238589

The River Sweep is possible thanks to a 2026 Water and Environment Grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation.

08/14/2026

EDIT: We are canceling due to rain! We hope to hike this trail with you again soon. We'll be leading a drop-in hike at 10 am on Saturday morning, starting at the Grandview Drive trailhead of Pimetoui Trail. Come for a hike up to a gorgeous bluff - roughly 1.25 miles round-trip - then stay for food, drinks, music, and fun.

Parks on Tap – Parks on Tap: Grandview Drive – Lookout #1 Cheers to brunch! Take in stunning views along Grandview Drive while enjoying drinks from the Traveling Taphouse, live music, and food at this scenic Parks on Tap stop. Perfect for a fun laid-back afternoon with unbeatable views. Gather y...

08/12/2026

Welcoming Walk's: Men's Hike
📅 Friday, August 28, 2026
🕰️ 6:00-8:00 pm
💲No charge

Connect with other men who enjoy the outdoors, hiking, and forging new connections at Forest Park Nature Center. This hike will last about an hour. Afterward, gather by the fire to swap stories and build camaraderie. Please register for this program.

The location is Forest Park Nature Center, 5909 N Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights, IL 61616. Meet in front of the building. Please register for this program.

Please use this link to register. You may have to copy and paste this link to register, or you can call the Forest Park Nature Center at 309-686-3360.
Registration: https://webtrac.peoriaparks.org/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=121155570

08/11/2026

🌿 Ready for an adventure in nature? Join us at Forest Park Nature Center on August 29th for our BioBlitz! 🌱🦋

What’s a BioBlitz? It’s a fast-paced, hands-on event where we team up to identify and count every plant, animal, and fungus we can find—all in one day! This is your chance to help protect one of Peoria’s hidden gems and learn how our community impacts the natural world.

We need YOU! Whether you’re a nature lover, a curious beginner, or a seasoned expert, your help is invaluable. Volunteer to count and identify species, or step up to lead a group if you have expertise to share!

Ready to make a difference? Sign up now at https://ec.samaritan.com/custom/1562/opp_details/238408 and choose the survey that interests you. Want to lead a group? Contact Naturalist Cassie at [email protected] or call 309-686-3360 to get started.

Let’s discover, learn, and protect—together! 🌳🦉

08/09/2026

Today our staff had a most unusual animal rescue mission when this cicada became stuck to a bandaid.

This serves as a reminder that even the smallest pieces of litter can be very dangerous to wildlife. Please use the designated trash cans when visiting the nature center.

While we could not fully remove the bandaid from the cicada’s wings, we were able to trim it enough to give this creature a shot at returning to the wild.

08/08/2026

We captured some fun friends in our bustling pollinator garden in the front of our building.

08/03/2026

Women’s Hike at Detweiller Park
📅Friday, August 7
⏲️5:30-7:30 pm

🚩🚩🚩We need a few more women to register for this program to run!🚩🚩🚩

Looking for a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors and connect with fellow hikers? 🌲✨

Join us for a Women’s-Only Sunset Hike at Detweiller Park! Whether you’re looking to meet new friends or just want to soak in the beauty of nature, this is the perfect opportunity to unplug and hit the trails.

Here’s what you need to know:

🗺️Where: Meet at the Dogwood Shelter Parking Lot.

The Trail: Please note this is a more challenging hike with slopes, so be ready for a bit of a workout! We’ll be out for about 1.5 hours, depending on our pace and breaks.

What to Bring:
Water & snacks
Appropriate hiking gear & sun protection
Sturdy, closed-toed shoes

We’ll start with a quick group introduction before we head out to catch the sunset!
Registration is required.
We can’t wait to see you there! 🥾🌅

If you have questions on this hike or any Women’s Hikes, email [email protected].

Use this link to register: https://webtrac.peoriaparks.org/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?module=AR&fmid=121154020&InterfaceParameter=WebTrac_1

07/30/2026

🌾 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! 🌱

07/29/2026

Women’s Hike at Detweiller Park
📅Friday, August 7
⏲️5:30-7:30 pm

Join us for a Sunset Hike at Detweiler Park for a women’s-only trek. Connect with other adult Women who like hiking, nature, and meeting new people. There will be a short introduction, and then we will be on our way. Prepare for about 1.5 hours of hiking, depending on breaks. Meet at the Dogwood Shelter Parking lot. This trail is a more challenging hike with slopes. Bring water, snacks, appropriate hiking gear, sun protection, and closed-toed shoes. If you have questions on Women’s Hikes, email [email protected]. Please register for this program.

Use this link to register:

Join us for a Sunset Hike at Detweiller Park for a Women’s Only Trek. Connect with other adult Women who like hiking, nature and meeting new people. There will be a short introduction and then we will be on our way. Prepare for hiking about 1.5 hours depending on breaks. Meet at the Dogwood Shelte...