Home Page Links

Dragonfly



Turtle



Snake



Pond



Kids and Plants








Wildwood Nature Center
529 Forestview • (847) 692-3570

The Wildwood Prairie has been recognized as a Certified Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary by the Illinois Audubon Society. This certification recognizes that Wildwood's plantings have been chosen especially to provide food and shelter to birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

Visitor Hours
Tuesday-Thursday, 10:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday, 10:00am - 4:00pm

Nature Nook (Open June 1 - August 23)
Saturdays, 10:00am - 4:00pm

Enjoy Critter Connection Every Saturday at 10:15am
Get up close to a Wildwood animal during a short, family-friendly presentation.


Admission to Wildwood is FREE
During your visit you’ll find an animal exhibit room with a turtle pond, snapping turtle, Northern Bobwhite Quail, snakes, prairie dogs, and much more. You can also visit our new Nature Nook, an interactive educational area complete with books, puzzles, puppets, games, and activities. Each month you can explore a different nature topic! The Wildwood Nature Center is located at the east end of Maine Park, behind the Maine Park Leisure Center.

For more information call 847-692-3570.

At the Nature Center

  • Live Animal Displays
  • Turtle Pond
  • Interactive Exhibits
  • Birthday Parties
  • Environmental Programs
  • Scout Programs
  • School Group Programs (Click here for our Elementary School Program Flyer.)

In the Park

  • Butterfly Garden
  • Self-Guided Tree Walk
  • Walking Paths
  • Picnic Facilities
  • Fishing Ponds
  • Campfire Pit (for use during Park District led programs)
  • Prairie Demonstration Garden
  • Rain Garden

Wildwood Nature Center Newsletters:

2009-2010

July-09 | Aug-09 | Sep-09 | Oct-09 | Nov-09 | Dec-09 | Jan-10 |

Mar-10


BE GREEN! Order a Rain Barrel and Conserve Water while Saving Money

Park Ridge Park District is currently offering residents a chance to order Rain Barrels that will help you capture rain water for use in watering lawns, garden, and indoor plants. Click here to read more and download the order form.


PALS Logo


Events Link


Birthday Packages at Wildwood

You can find it here at a Wildwood Nature Center Birthday Party! Parties are held Saturdays from 11:00am-1:00pm or 2:00pm-4:00pm, and during available times Monday through Friday. Availability is dependent on class schedule. If these times do not match your schedule, please contact us and special arrangements can be made. To find out more information or to book a party please call 847-692-3570. Parties should be scheduled one month in advance.

  • Party includes room with table, chairs, and a hands-on program.
  • You are responsible for refreshments, decorations, and paper products.
  • Remember the party includes a hike and animal interaction so make sure you and your guests are dressed appropriately.

Tiny Tots Animal Adventures
Ages 3-4, 1½ -hour party, $90 resident, $120 nonresident
The animal adventure includes a visit to the animal room, petting and feeding our animal friends, creating a craft, an animal story, games, and an outdoor hike. (Max 12)

Furry Friends Animal Party
Ages 5-10, 2-hour party, $110 resident, $150 nonresident
The furry friends animal party consists of meeting two of our furry friends, creating a craft, touring the animal room, exploring outdoors on a nature hike and playing games. (Max 25)


Scales and Tails Animal Party
Ages 5-10, 2-hour party, $110 resident, $150 nonresident
The scales and tails animal program consists of meeting two of our reptile or amphibian friends, creating a craft, touring the animal room, exploring outdoors on a nature hike, and playing games. (Max 25))

Diggin’ Dinos Birthday Party
Ages 5-9, 2-hour party, $110 resident, $150 nonresident
The dinosaur program consists of an excavation project, exploding volcanoes, and creating a dinosaur craft. The party also includes a trip to the animal room and an outdoor hike. (Max 15)

Incredible Insects Birthday Party
Ages 5-9, 2-hour party, $110 resident, $150 nonresident
Meet Wildwood’s insects, do an insect craft, play games and catch pond or prairie insects (dependent on weather). The party also includes a trip to the animal room and an outdoor hike. (Max 25)

Campfire Birthday Party
Ages 7-12, 2-hour party, $110 resident, $150 nonresident
Children will enjoy playing games, going on a hike, and roasting hotdogs and s’mores around the campfire. Party includes program leaders, firewood, and cooking sticks. (Max 25) Available March-October.

Fishing Birthday Party
Ages 7-12, 2-hour party, $110 resident, $150 nonresident
Fishing poles, equipment, bait, and party leaders to remove the fish from the hook are all included. The children will practice casting, fish for approximately one hour, visit the animal room, and hike around the pond. (Max 10) Available March-October.

Weird, Wacky Science Party
Ages 7-12, 2-hour party, $110 resident, $150 nonresident
Children will enjoy creating and concocting three weird, wacky science experiments. Choose from funny putty, invisible ink, make your own lip gloss or face paint, squishy ball, gem goop, soda explosion (outdoors only), and glue. The party also includes a trip to the animal room and an outdoor hike. Please dress for a mess. (Max 15)

Back to top of page

© Park Ridge Park District, IL | Home | Employment | Affiliates | Doing Business with PRPD | Contact Us

Home Page About Us Programs Facilities Events Parks News Registration