Nature in Chicago – Nature in Chicagoland

Palmisano Park: A Hidden Gem in Chicago

October 19, 2018October 27, 2018 by anders458, posted in Chicago, Chicago Parks, hiking, Illinois, kids activities, sledding, Uncategorized, winter activities

You don’t expect to find 40-foot limestone cliffs, a stream, beautiful waterfalls, and a pond in the middle of Chicago. But at Palmisano Park—a hidden gem at 27th and Halsted in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood—that’s just the case. This beautiful urban oasis is an attractive destination for hikers, runners, fishers, wanderers, dog walkers, kite-fliers, urban philosophers, … Continue reading Palmisano Park: A Hidden Gem in Chicago

Orland Grassland: A Respite From Malls, Motorways, and Modernity

September 25, 2017October 25, 2022 by anders458, posted in @FPDCC, birdwatching, conservation, fall colors, Forest Preserve of Cook County, hiking, Illinois, prairies, snowshoeing, spring wildflowers, Uncategorized

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND UPDATED 2022 Where: 167th Street & South LaGrange Road--About 35 miles southwest of Chicago city-center Quick Summary: A large restored grassland complex with prairie, oak savannas, shrublands, ponds, wetlands, and woodlands. Perfect for hiking and birdwatching. THIS DOESN'T LOOK PROMISING, I thought to myself, as I drove … Continue reading Orland Grassland: A Respite From Malls, Motorways, and Modernity

Welcome to my blog. Nature in Chicagoland covers the joy of nature—whether it's in a forest preserve or state or national park or just in a local park or your own backyard. It also covers meteorology; geology; astronomy; environmental restoration, protection, and sustainability; local history; and nearby colleges and universities that offer environmental-related majors. In my definition, "Chicagoland" consists of Chicago, its suburbs, and any natural destination that's within a day's drive of our great city. Thanks for reading.