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A new self-guided walking experience and a recurring yarn-crafting workshop series are coming to Kane County forest preserves this fall, giving Tri-Cities residents two new ways to embrace nature and creativity this season.
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is launching "Wandering With Wonder," a sensory nature walk with trail signage and audio prompts, on Sept. 1, while Creek Bend Nature Center in St. Charles will host the yarn art sessions.
Here's what to know:
New walking experience: "Wandering With Wonder" is a self-guided series of prompts posted along trails at four Kane County locations: Delnor Woods Park in St. Charles, Hampshire Forest Preserve in Hampshire, Hawthorne Hill Nature Center in Elgin, and Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora. It’s designed to help visitors slow down and take in their surroundings using their senses. Signage and audio, both available in English and Spanish, work at any outdoor spot, not just those four.
Three free kickoff events planned: For a guided introduction, residents can attend a Nature Wellness Celebration at Delnor Woods Park in St Charleson Sept. 20 from 1-4PM, a Harvest Fall Festival at Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora on Sept. 27 from noon-3PM, or Nurtured by Nature at Hampshire Forest Preserve on Oct. 4 from 10-11AM. The Harvest Fall Festival doesn't require signing up in advance; the other two do.
Yarn art nights return: Knitters, crocheters and other yarn crafters of any skill level can drop in for a free, casual session at Creek Bend Nature Center in St. Charles on Sept. 19, Oct. 17 and Nov. 14, each from 4-5:30PM. The program is open to all ages.
Sign up for the yarn art sessions and the two registration-required Wandering With Wonder events at kaneforest.com/register, or by calling 630-444-3190.
The Wandering With Wonder signage and trail markers were paid for by a grant from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.
The audio experience and more information can be found here.
Wandering with Wonder was created by a collaboration of organizations that make up the Kane Nature Coalition, including The Conservation Foundation, Forest Preserve District of Kane County, Rush Copley Medical Center, Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, Midwest Forest Bathing LLC, Kane County Health Department, Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center, Living Well Cancer Resource Center, Friends of the Fox River, and Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois.
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