Outdoor Activities

Fiesat in the park

Alderman Sonia Perez and CH Park District Commissioner Ricardo Leon hosted a wonderful event in celebration of Cinco de Mayo at Jirtle Park. Mayor Gonzalez joined in the festivities and it was a beautiful afternoon filled with great food and family fun!

Click image to visit Union Street Art Gallery's website

Artists in the park

City of Chicago Heights Community Service Officer Tracey Garcia and her tiny helper spend some time with Plain Air Painting during the Artists in the Park event sponsored by Union Street Gallery. For information on more events like this one, visit the Union Street Art Gallery website, or click the image above.

Chicago Heights Bike Trails!!!

CH Bike Path
CH Bike Path 2

Forest Preserves of Cook County

Permits opening day
Camp in Cook

Outdoor Block Party

Wellness in the Woods: Yoga

Dan Ryan Woods Central, 8395 S Western Ave, Chicago

Reap the benefits of exercising outdoors! Join Oak Street Health-Ashburn for a relaxing morning of yoga. Please bring your own yoga mat. Recommended for ages 50 & up. Free.

• Thursday, July 12 • 10 – 11 am

• Thursday, July 19 • 10 – 11 am

• Thursday, July 26 • 10 – 11 am

Kid’s Fest

Saturday, July 14 • 11 am – 4 pm

Wampum Lake, Thornton Lansing Rd & Willigan Rd, Thornton, IL

Discover a new appreciation for nature while you hike, climb, and paddle through this annual outdoor extravaganza for the whole family. Canoe slots limited; all ages. Register: https://goo.gl/6zmLfw. Free.


Teen Night

Friday, July 13 • 8:30 PM - 10 PM

Lucky Thirteen Teen Night Hike

SAND RIDGE NATURE CENTER, SOUTH HOLLAND

Join us on Friday the 13th as we check out some of the local night life…in nature, that is! Learn how the number 13 relates to nature, including with ground squirrels, the night sky, and more. Ages 13-19.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Call Sand Ridge at 708-868-0606.

COST: FREE




Did you know some birds sing notes too high for humans to hear? Or that ospreys almost always carry fish parallel to their bodies to improve aerodynamics? Have you ever seen a heron eat a fish whole, or a crow using homemade tools catch their prey? The native and migrating birds that can be spotted in the Forest Preserves of Cook County are as unique and diverse as the Forest Preserves themselves!

New and experienced birders can enjoy this fun and versatile year-round activity while experiencing the many amenities offered throughout the Forest Preserves, including miles of marked trails, major waterways that can be canoed or kayaked, dedicated nature preserves, nature centers and more.

Bird the Preserves

Keep Track!!--Download the Birding Checklist Here

  1. Forest Preserve District of Cook County Birding Checklist
Forest Banner

"The Forest Preserve District of Cook County, with more than 69,000-acres, is the largest forest preserve district in the United States. It receives an estimated 40 million visits each year, providing an escape into a world teeming with wildlife and rich with outdoor recreation and environmental education opportunities. Within its boundaries are rare habitats that offer plant and animal diversity on par with the rainforests of the world. This natural heritage offers something for everyone:

Oak woodlands and savannas

Tallgrass prairies

Native wetlands

Migratory fly-ways that afford spectacular birding

22 dedicated nature preserves

40 managed lakes and ponds

7 major waterways that can be canoed or kayaked and offer glimpses of waterflow and shorebirds

300 miles of marked trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross country skiing

Scenic spots for painting, photography or quiet reflection"

For more information on the Forest Preserves of Cook County, visit http://fpdcc.com/