Bikers on bridge over Higgins Rd at Busse Woods Preserve, June 2012.

100 Years/100 Events extravaganza begins on Sept. 20

Measuring more than 69,000 acres of space, the Forest Preserves of Cook County sure does cover a lot of territory.

So it’s no surprise that a celebration to mark the Preserves’ centennial would be conducted on an equally grand scale, which is promised with 100 Years/100 Events, a weeklong series of activities set to run from Sept. 20-27. From bird walks to bike rides to butterflies … from fly casting to fossils to playing Frisbee … from collecting seeds to making S’mores, each day’s events will provide visitors of all ages and areas of interest with an opportunity to experience the Great Outdoors.

“Ultimately, the goal of the event is to get people out in the forest preserves,” said Forest Preserves of Cook County Communication Director Lambrini Lukidis. “I think people may drive by not knowing about all of our programming and activities. We’ve got 300 miles of trails and numerous bodies of water, and lots of preservation efforts going on as well.

“So we want people to get a taste of that, and at the same time celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime series of events at an amazing asset in Cook County, which is there for everyone to enjoy — and most of which is free and open to the public.”

Fishin Buddies Tournament on May 25th at Tampier Lake, Palos Preserves, 2012.

The centennial celebration’s events will be spread across five geographic zones — Central, North, Northwest, South and Southwest — each of which are detailed in a map available at fpdcc.com/100events. The Forest Preserves’ website link also provides a thorough schedule with particulars regarding each event, as well registration
information about special free buses for traveling to events in each zone.

“Considering the Forest Preserves cover most of the county from Palatine to the north to Calumet City and South Holland to the south, we wanted to make sure there’s a way for people to get to our different events, and to make it easier for people who want to attend,” Lukidis said.

The 100 Years/100 Events celebration officially kicks off in the North Zone with an all-day event, Art in Nature, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills. Artists will paint along scenic trails, and visitors will have an opportunity to create their own artwork as well. Materials and instruction will be provided, including sculpting, painting and drawing for kids. Live music and concessions are included as well.

Brookfield Zoo’s ZooRunRun gets things started in the Central Zone. The event, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 20, features a 5K run set entirely within the zoo’s 216-acre nature park. Advance registration is required; visit www.CZS.org/zoorunrun for more information.

Also in the Central Zone, A Century in the Woods: The Zoo Woods Prairie offers three one-hour tours (9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. Sept. 20) examining the diverse landscape of the Des Plaines River environment at Zoo Woods, 159 1st Ave., Riverside. The nature hikes are recommended for ages 12 and up.

Canoeists enjoy a nice fall day on the lake. (Photo courtesy of Forest Preserves of Cook County)

In the North Zone, activities open with Nature Hike in the City — a walk through LaBagh Woods, beginning at the Gompers Park Fieldhouse, located at 4222 W. Foster Ave., in Chicago — from 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 20 and 21. Participants are invited to enjoy a campfire with roasted marshmallows following the hike.

South Zone activities begin with Fish’N Kids, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20 at Powderhorn Lake, located at 13843-14387 S. Brainard Ave., in Burnham. The event is designed for ages 6 and up, and will provide 30-minute fishing sessions with instructors from the Chicago Park District.

The Southwest Zone offers Hike the Esker Trail as its first event. Featuring John Elliott of the Chicago Audubon Society, the hike will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 20 at Teasons Woods, 11103 S. 104th Ave., Palos Hills.

Celebration Finale — featuring four simultaneous events at Caldwell Woods, 6350 W. Devon Ave. — will officially conclude 100 years/100 Events festivities, highlighted by The Largest Tree Hug in Cook County. Visitors will be encouraged to hug trees and enjoy food trucks, live music and kids activities from 3-6 p.m. Sept. 27.

Each zone has activities planned for Sept. 27 as well — ranging from biodiversity exhibits (from 7 a.m. to noon) at the Illinois Natural History Survey’s Traveling Science Center at Eggers Grove, 11200 S. Avenue B, Chicago to the Lunar Eclipse Hike (from 8-10 p.m.) at Crabtree Nature Center, in Barrington Hills, marking a full-circle return to the site where the centennial celebration was set to begin.

“People may think the woods are scary, but it’s just the opposite,” Lukidis said. “There’s so much to learn and so much to do — for families and individuals — once you come in. It really is a gateway to nature.”

— Forest Preserves of Cook County to celebrate centennial —