Baker's Lake Nature Preserve — Attraction in Palatine Township

The Prairie on the southern portion of the park near the parking off 68 was quite pretty and is worth seeing. However, as you move further north on the eastern trail towards the lake the scenery becomes blocked by very dense walls of large woody shrubs, but that was only the mildest complaint. My primary complaint; the bridge just off the east end of the lake is a metal grating that my dog was very nervous stepping on it. We walked a few steps on it and she was obviously very uncomfortable. I doubt a small dog would be able to traverse that bridge. We had to turn back and miss the lake. It should have a reasonably solid top layer so canines can more comfortably use it. In addition, the lack of any benches was keenly felt. I would be relatively easy to add one or two in the clearings next to the informational placards.

In conclusion, it is a decent park that is quite nice in the southern prarie but it needs a more canine friendly bridge and some benches present along the trails so hikers can more...

We very much appreciate this spot. It's very small, a parking lot really with a path running along the southern perimeter of its pond. Unassuming I would say. On display at varying times of the year are pelicans, gulls, terns, clouds of egrets and a great many cormorants as it is an officially designated cormorant respite with a nesting island for them. Bald eagles sometimes show up and there is an osprey nesting platform within easy binocular view.

It's not a great place though we like it. Also, Spunky Dunkers is a short drive south on Northwest Highway if you like; they have...

The bushes have grown up so much by the parking lot that there is only one spot to watch the birds from your car. I am handicapped and there are no real accommodations for someone like me. Once the leaves are on the bushes there will only be one spot if you stay in your car to watch the birds. The parking area was extremely rough with large dips in the surface of the gravel lot. Place needs work and attention in my opinion. It is a beautiful lake with very...