Recreation & Parks Department

THORN CREEK NATURE CENTER & PRESERVE

247 Monee Rd (See end of page for directions)
Telephone:  (708) 747-6320

Open Friday - Sunday, noon - 4 pm
Trails open year-round, dawn to dusk
Closed July 4th

Trail use: For individuals or for groups of less than ten, there is no charge to use the trails. Children
must be with an adult. Groups of ten or more must pre-register for a fee of $5 per person, and must
be led by a naturalist.

Program registration: Most programs require registration unless otherwise noted. Call to register.
Programs requiring pre-payment are also noted.

Group Programs: Programs for schools, youth groups, scout troops and other organizations are
offered for ten to twenty persons, both at the nature center and off-site. The minimum fee is
$5 per person; additional fees may apply. Pre-registration is required. See our Nature Education brochure.

Birthday Parties: Parties for children age 2 to 11 are available. Parents provide food, tableware and presents.
Parties are 2 1/2 hours for a minimum of 10 children. Fee is $50 for the first 10 children, $5 for each additional
child. A $25 non-refundable deposit and two week notice is required.

PROGRAMS

ROOTS AND SHOOTS-FREE
Children are encouraged to explore the environment, their community and the world around them in this
monthly program. First Saturday of each month, 10 am-noon, age 5-10, $5 per child per month. **The July
meeting is cancelled due to the holiday.

JUNIOR ECOLOGISTS CLUB-FREE
Discover the woods in a new way and join naturalists to explore the woods and track seasonal changes.
Third Saturday of each month, 10 am–noon, age 11–15, $5 per child per month. **The June meeting will be
on the FIRST Saturday of the month, not the third. The July meeting is cancelled. 

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY - Free 
Celebrate the trails of Thorn Creek Nature Preserve during National Trails Day!   Take a walk with a naturalist
and discover the hidden secrets of Thorn Creek Woods. Talk with staff and volunteers about the upcoming trail
restoration and construction projects and sign-up to help out! Registration required. Saturday, June 5th, 12-2pm,
all ages, donations accepted.

HISTORIC FARM WALK
Visit the Hornicek farm and tour an early 20th century farm. Spend the afternoon wandering through the gardens
and collecting eggs from the hens.  Meet at the Nature Center and caravan to the farm. Sunday, June 6th, 1-3 pm,
all ages, $5 per person, family rates apply, registration required.

MIDSUMMERS NIGHT HIKE
Summer is officially here! Join a naturalist and discover the significance of the summer solstice during this night hike.
Thursday, June 24th, 7:30-9:30pm, all ages, $5 per person or $15 for the entire family, registration required. 

SUMMER SAFARI:
CLIMATE DETECTIVES
Children discover various aspects of the climate and learn how scientists predict the weather. Each day of this
program will be filled with exciting experiments and hikes through Thorn Creek Woods. Snacks and backpacks provided.
Children should dress for the weather and bring a lunch each day. Sign up today to save a spot for your child in this
popular program! Space is limited. Registration and payment due by June 23rd.

Safari I:
   Tuesday-Friday, July 6-9
   9 a.m.-1 p.m., age: 5-7 years,
   Cost: $55 per child

Safari II:
   Tuesday-Friday, July 20-23
   9 a.m.-1 p.m., age: 8-10 years,
   Cost: $55 per child

FIREFLY NIGHT HIKE
Fireflies or lightening bugs, no matter what you call them, their flashing light can be seen throughout summer
nights. Join a naturalist on this popular night hike and discover why fireflies flash back and forth to each other
and what it all means.   Friday, July 16th, 7:30-9:30pm, all ages, $5 per person, family rates apply, registration required.

NATURE CAMP FOR SENIORS 
Ever wonder what kind of tree you just walked by? Or perhaps you can hear a loud chirping and don’t know if it is
a squirrel or a bird? Discover the secrets of the woods as you explore Thorn Creek Woods from top to bottom!
This program will take you outside for a portion of the day as you discover Thorn Creek Woods in a new way.
Thursday, August 26th, 9am-1pm, ages 50 years and up, $5 per   person, registration required.

TRAIL WORK DAYS
Saturday, May 15th
9am-2pm, ages 15-adult.
Work Days are an excellent way to give back to Thorn Creek Nature Preserve! Join the Thorn Creek Trail Work
Crew in building and repairing boardwalks and maintaining the trails throughout the Preserve. Wear sturdy
shoes or boots. Work days are for ages 15-adult; community groups are welcome!

Saturday, August 14th
8 am-1 pm, ages 15 and up
We need your help to implement trail repairs, including clearing and trimming trails, building boardwalks, installing
French drains and much more! Wear boots and bring a sack lunch and work gloves. If trail work isn't for you, come
out and help clean our historic farm's organic garlic and prepare it for selling!

DIRECTIONS TO THORN CREEK NATURE CENTER

From the Western Suburbs:
I-355 south to I-80; I-80 east to I-57; I-57 south to Sauk Trail exit; turn right onto Sauk Trail;
east on Sauk Trail to Cicero Avenue (Rt. 50) – note big stone church on corner; turn right onto
Cicero Avenue; south on Cicero Avenue to first blinking stop light (Stuenkel Road); turn left onto
Stuenkel Road; east on Stuenkel Road past railroad tracks, Governors State University and golf
course to dead end where Stuenkel Road makes a “T” with Monee Road; left on Monee Road
to the nature center (about ¼ mile on the right side).

From the North Suburbs:
I-294 south to I-80; I-80 west to I-57; I-57 south to Sauk Trail exit; turn right onto Sauk Trail;
east on Sauk Trail to Cicero Avenue (Rt. 50) – note big stone church on corner; turn right onto
Cicero Avenue; south on Cicero Avenue to first blinking stop light (Stuenkel Road); turn left onto
Stuenkel Road; east on Stuenkel Road past railroad tracks, Governors State University and golf
course to dead end where Stuenkel Road makes a “T” with Monee Road; left on Monee Road to
the nature center (about ¼ mile on the right side).

From Chicago:
I-57 south to Sauk Trail exit; turn right onto Sauk Trail; east on Sauk Trail to
Cicero Avenue (Rt. 50) – note big stone church on corner; turn right onto Cicero Avenue;
south on Cicero Avenue to first blinking stop light (Stuenkel Road); turn left onto Stuenkel Road;
east on Stuenkel Road past railroad tracks, Governors State University and golf course to dead
end where Stuenkel Road makes a “T” with Monee Road; left on Monee Road to the
nature center (about ¼ mile on the right side).

From Indiana (near I-80):
I-80 west to I-394; I-394 south to Sauk Trail; turn right onto Sauk Trail; west on Sauk Trail to Western
Avenue; turn left onto Western Avenue; south on Western Avenue to next stoplight (only about 100 yards),
Monee Road; turn right (you can only turn right) onto Monee Road; follow Monee Road about 2 miles to
nature center (on your left side).