Have you been to the new playground at Maine Park in Park Ridge? It’s right across the street from Wildwood Nature Center and also close to a pond for fishing. A new playground, interesting nature center, and nature walks make a great morning or afternoon!
Maine Park in Park Ridge
The new playground at Maine Park is beautiful and has so many play components. There are multiple slides with all different heights, wide ramps, rock climbing, and shade canopies, all on a soft rubbery surface.
The tube slide and merry-go-round are fun.
There’s also a toddler section with a slide that goes down into a pour-in-place well.
You’ll find this climbable turtle down there to greet you.
There are also musical instruments with a woodland theme.
Along the side of the playground, they created a stream where water can flow down for water play. It’s not functional yet, but we’re looking forward to that feature.
Maine Park
2701 W Sibley Street
Park Ridge, IL 60068
Right across the street is the unassuming Wildwood Nature Center. When you walk around the building to get to the front door, you don’t expect it to house so many animals and activities!
Wildwood Nature Center
Right when you walk in, you’ll see a friendly bunny to greet you and a tank of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches (I’ve never seen such huge cockroaches!).
You’ll also find a pair of prairie dogs in the Animal Room Exhibit. There are over 35 animals there!
The activity room is called the Nature Nook and its filled with activity sheets, books, puzzles, puppets, and other hands-on learning opportunities. Be sure to look to the right as you enter the room to see if Fig, the Red-footed tortoise is home. They let him freely roam the room, so if he’s not there, you can play hide and seek to find him. When we were there, he was in one of the cubbies of the bookcase!
There are Ball Python Snakes and a Corn Snake at this nature center. So much to see.
Wildwood Nature Center
531 Forestview Avenue
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 692-3570
Hours
Tuesday through Thursday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Forest Lake
You can extend your trip by walking down the path and around the prairie to the pond. If you bring fishing poles and bait, you can fish along the bank or from the fishing deck.
