Cool spot that I didn't realize was in the area. Looking for a good meeting spot to meet friends…read morefor a walk, found Sagawau. On the day of my visit, we saw this black netting/screen. Curious, we stopped to ask staff. It turns out on Sundays they do bird banding. This was very interesting how they catch birds, take data, and release back into the wild. I recommend! The nature center was well kept and had clean bathrooms. They close the area at 4 pm daily. Check it out for a nice walking and educational opportunity.

Sagawau is waaaaaay out in Lemont, so pretty far from me, and it's also bit confusing to find when…read moreyou get there. But I really enjoyed it so I'd say it's worth it, and now I'll know where I'm going in future! Word to the wise: There's the large parking lot, and what looks like a driveway is not. Park in the lot and use the wide paved path to get to the nature center. The purpose of the first preserve system was to both preserve and conserve, but also to provide natural areas in which people could recreate. They also have a nature center here with exhibits, as well as a variety of programming. I came for a program. A land acknowledgement was provided to connect the land to its history, and the people who once called this land home. I came for a hummingbird program, which took place in the hummingbird garden. The garden had quite a few bees and some wasps, but those insects are actually invasive in this area so you may see traps out for them so they don't take over the hummingbird garden. There are hummingbird feeders around to bring the hummers out. But nectar isn't their only source of food; they'll eat insects and invertebrates. Most importantly, they need pesticide-free habitats to survive. It was interesting to learn that hummingbirds live only in North, Central, and South America. When colonizers came into contact with hummingbirds, they thought they had no feet and that is where their scientific name is derived. Hummingbirds are surprisingly loud! The ruby-throated hummingbird is only ruby throated for the males. Juveniles and females have a white throat. But the color only comes out with the light, as it's iridescent, so the males may look black. Ruby throated is the only native one in Illinois. The juveniles are about the weight of a penny. In migratory season, they try to double their weight in order to sustain their migratory most fly over the Gulf of Mexico, which is a single flight of about 600 miles. They can do that flight in 16-24 hours. Hummingbirds fly with a figure eight pattern, which allows them to be one of the few birds that can fly backwards. It also allows them to hover! Migration is hard, so why do they do it? At least in part, it's because there's less competition. Apparently day length is a trigger to let birds know when to begin migrating, and the plants and flower on which they rely for food usually coincides to their migratory season. The nesting behavior of hummingbirds draws a direct line between environmental stewardship and habitat protection. They line the nest's outside with lichen and plant scale, and line them inside with soft things like dandelion fronds. Air pollution won't affect the hummingbird directly, but it will affect lichen and thus the integrity of their nest and subsequently their success in breeding. They will use spider webbing to bind their nest, which makes spider conservation important too. How fascinating how these things all connect! Whilst visiting Sagawau, I learned that this preserve is a licensed bird banding station--not just for hummingbirds. Banding allows us to gather much of the information that we have about birds in general. The information gleaned from banded birds can tell us about their migratory patterns, lifespan, and so on. I believe they have some events during the year where you can observe this process. In addition to their great programs, they have a nature center with exhibits related to the natural history of Sagawau and the region. One of the things that makes Sagawau so unique is it is a dolomite prairie, of which only about 500 acres exist in the world--over 100 of those acres being here. There are several trails to walk, and they have maps showing these to help guide your way. And this site turns into a cross-country ski location in the winter! In that season, walking is not permitted on the trails because they're used for skiers. They have lessons and equipment rental, but you can also bring your own gear--you just need to call first to make sure it's open for skiing, dependent upon the snowfall. I saw more open acknowledgment of snakes here than at some of the other preserves, which may make me nervous to visit very soon--snakes in just about any capacity (cartoon, real, image, etc.) creep me out more than anything. But, Negin is the employee that led the hummingbird chat, and she was really great. Welcoming, inclusive, knowledgeable, and friendly. I'd love to attend more of her programs.

This is but another in a number of hiking and walking trails/picnic centers in the Forest Preserve…read moreDistrict of Cook County system. Of all the things the Cook County Forest Preserve did over the years, preserving thousands of acres for the enjoyment of the people is probably the number one benefit. This is a delightful little trail head that leads to others. This one is called Catalina Grove and it is listed as a family picnic area. It also has a walking trail that hooks up to many others in the area. As part of a much larger system, if you begin here, you can walk or bike for miles...even over to the trails in Tinley Park and Chicago Heights. There is adequate parking here for your car. Since this is one in a number of starting points, this is really an out and back point in your walk/hike. Unless you have a bike and intend on going miles, this place is not a circular route that will bring you back to the start. Bring water and be prepared for a nifty jaunt through the south suburbs. Give this place a try and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Great place to park an relax an walk around an enjoy the sun ! I love it here! Park here often…read morenever had a issue and the park reserve rangers are amazing as well!

This picnic grounds is the site we went to in the late'50's & beyond! It was called the Lanigan…read morepicnic where my father & uncle grew up being good friends with the Lanigans & others in the Englewood area in the 1930's & 1940's. It's a beautiful spot for a picnic with room for some softball games,races for the kids.While we kids were having a blast playing,the grownups revilled in reminiscing of old times together amid boisterous laughter from funny stories.Cold beer flowed from the legs with some Irish songs being heartily belted out!

Wonderful trail, easy to socially distance, beautiful and well maintained. The parking lot is large…read moreand it's easy to get in and out of.

If your going there to fish it's fair just stick to shore fishing as the boat rentals aren't worth…read moreit and it's just better from the shore in my opinion, best time to go is during the week as weekends tend to get pretty crowded but overall it's a nice place to go fish and relax

This was a very nice little park, if one that has few amenities to offer the visitor. There is a…read morevery nice covered shelter that one can use for parties or picnics or family get-togethers, but remember that you must reserve the space with the Cook County Forest Preserve peeps. Don't just show up and assume it's first-come-first-served ... it isn't. It is a reserved space. There is enough room to play catch and maybe hit the ball around, but essentially you have to bring in to the park any amusement you seek - they really don't offer any extras. One day, maybe the Cook County Forest Preserve chiefs will cut a few walking/jogging/hiking trails through the area - that would be a nice and easy-to-add extra. This little preserve is a stand-alone operation with a parking lot. If you are looking for Tampier Lake - it is about a block away across the street ... that is where you get boats and the like. There is none of that here. But with all that said, this was a nice little hideaway. Try it.

Talk about quaint environments and pleasant walks. This is a go to. Year round this place to enjoy…read moreyour day with friends, family or the special someone.

I love hiking here on a spring, summer or fall day. This is a Moderate hiking course on an unpaved…read morepath. So prepare as far as shoes goes. This path is dog friendly and horse friendly. There are little rest areas with benches along the way. They even have a water bottle filling station. Over all this hiking path is a little under 3miles but had a great intensity level with a beautiful view

Can't go wrong with a pleasant walk here with that special someone. Beautiful surroundings of…read morevegetation and wildlife.

A nice wooded area that's dog-friendly if you are looking for a place to walk. There are two spots…read moreto park after turning down the road. The parking areas were well maintained. There are also some simple bathrooms, benches, covered tables/gathering spaces, and grills. We parked in the first area and then walked to the second parking area to enter the trail. We decided to do the longer loop first (~1.35 miles) and then the shorter loop (~.5 miles) afterward. Although you do need to watch for random tree roots, it was a pretty even pathway throughout with some cute bridges. It was very quiet when we visited right before lunchtime, and we only passed half a dozen people and a few dogs the whole time. Although I was somewhat expecting a deer to jump out at any moment, we did see some smaller birds and chipmunks. Since it hadn't rained for quite a while, the whole path was dry. In all, it was a really nice walk. I would return here for a relaxed stroll again in the future.

Trail is great for cyclist, walkers, and runners. Trail is wide to accommodate traffic both ways…read more Trail is miles long and extends to other trails. I enjoy walking this trail and looking at the wildlife and enjoying nature. Trail is peaceful and tranquil. This trail can be enjoyed all year long. Open dawn to dusk.

Beautiful walking trail. Especially during the fall, the leaves are awesome! It was perfect for the…read morewhole family as the kids could run or ride their bikes ahead. Very safe area