Sand Ridge Nature Center — Attraction in Thornton Township

If you would like to learn to identify more native prairie plants, this is the place for you. I met 2-3 new-to-me flowers that I will need to introduce to my butterfly garden at home. With several different ecosystems on the property, there is fantastic variety. We saw no fewer than 4 monarch caterpillars on the milkweed outside the front door of the lovely nature center. There is a classroom in the nature center that acts as a perfect "bird blind" to watch the hubbub in their "Bird Garden". The trails are well maintained, the boardwalk is a GREAT way to view the marshy areas. The staff in the Nature Center is very friendly and knowledgeable, and invited us to an upcoming...

Great place to walk the trails and experience nature. There are several walkable trails that are great for those with about a hour to 90 minutes to spare. You can enjoy the serenity of The Lost Beach Trail while learning more about the history of the area from ages ago. Give yourself at least 2 hours for this trail, more time.if you attempt with children.

Aside from everyday "oneness with nature", you can expect monthly events if not weekly events open to the public. A favorite for our family is the pumpkin scavenger hunt. It's a Fall activity we look forward to and no one seems too old...

Yesterday, a lady that had the children call her Ms. Laney was SUPER rude toward the children. Yelling at them and everything shutting them down. If she can't deal with children being there, she shouldn't work there at all!!! Other than her , and the mosquitoes who obviously what going to be there.. bring bug spray!!! 😂😂😂😂 It's a pretty nice place a nice young man named Nate showed us the over 200 year old cabins he was super nice with the children. He was nice enough to show us the cabins Ms....