EVENT DETAILS

Join Friends of Big Marsh for AFTERGLOW on Saturday May 27th, with sign up for running and bike races at 8 AM. Registration starts at $10 suggested donation for our 1 mile Fun Walk at 9 AM, $15 for our Medium Bike Race (12:40), and $25 for our 50 minute Serious Bike Race (11:30 AM).

Bike riders and runners can expect a combination of pavement, grass, limestone, and even some mountain bike single track! Afterglow will also have music, DJs, and dance classes all day long. All proceeds from AFTERGLOW go to Friends of Big Marsh. If you’d like to sign up, please visit bigmarsh.org/afterglow or bring cash for day of sign up. No one will be turned away for lack of funds and YOUTH RACE FREE.

EVENT DETAILS

Join COS for a hike through one of the Chicago Park District’s newest natural areas; Marian Byrnes Park! With over 100 acres of wetlands, prairie, and savannah to explore, we’ll be on the look out for a variety of early migrants including rails, warblers, sparrows, and raptors. Beginning birders are welcome and extra binoculars will be available.

Please RSVP in advance!

EVENT DETAILS

The Big Marsh Mountain Bike Race Series on Wednesday evenings starts on May 31st and continues on June 14th, June 28th, July 12th, and August 2nd. Expert races start at 6PM, Youth at 6:45, Beginners at 7:15 and Intermediate at 7:45. Follow bigmarshchicago on Instagram for updates.

Click here for more information!

EVENT DETAILS

Come explore the beauty of Big Marsh! Under the guidance of a conservation scientist, learn about the biology of important local species, practice identifying dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies in the field*, and learn how to monitor for the Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network and the Illinois Odonate Survey! All abilities and ages are welcome; recommended for adults and children ages 8+ with an accompanying guardian.

*workshop logistics are weather dependent and subject to change

EVENT DETAILS

The Big Marsh Mountain Bike Race Series on Wednesday evenings starts on May 31st and continues on June 14th, June 28th, July 12th, and August 2nd. Expert races start at 6PM, Youth at 6:45, Beginners at 7:15 and Intermediate at 7:45. Follow bigmarshchicago on Instagram for updates.

Click here for more information!

EVENT DETAILS

We are looking for artists, art organizations, educators, performers, and creative types to help build an outstanding community event. We have several different ways to participate. Interested individuals are invited to complete this Intent to Participate Form. Once we receive your form, a staff member at the Ford Calumet Environmental Center will contact you to talk through your submission.

*Weather permitting, the majority of the festival will take place outside, with the potential to hold a class or demonstration inside of the Ford Calumet Environmental Center. The Park District will develop marketing materials for distribution. There is no fee to participate, however, interested sponsors may contact the Friends of Big Marsh to donate to this worthwhile organization. In addition, we have a small budget to contract instructors.

EVENT DETAILS

‘My Robot’s Robot’

This Summer join Jabberwocky Marionettes as part of the first Arts Festival at Big Marsh Park for a fantastical puppet adventure beyond the moon and sun, into the starry universe, and into the world of science-fiction. Meet the little robot working away for infinity on a spaceship in ‘My Robot’s Robot’, a short puppet vignette about friendship.  https://www.youtube.com/c/JabberwockyMarionettes

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Jabberwocky Marionettes are creators of original productions and events made with handcrafted puppets and live animation for all ages. Lolly Extract and Amber Marsh have recently worked with; the Chicago Park District, the Field Museum, Chicago Public Libraries, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Elgin Children’s Theatre, A Red Orchid Theater & Northeastern Illinois University Goodwin College of Education.

EVENT DETAILS

The Big Marsh Mountain Bike Race Series on Wednesday evenings starts on May 31st and continues on June 14th, June 28th, July 12th, and August 2nd. Expert races start at 6PM, Youth at 6:45, Beginners at 7:15 and Intermediate at 7:45. Follow bigmarshchicago on Instagram for updates.

Click here for more information!

EVENT DETAILS

In this workshop, participants will explore the beauty and complexity of bird sounds and learn

how to use found objects and their own bodies to create their own unique soundscape.

Participants will learn new movement vocabulary inspired by the rhythms and patterns of bird

sounds, and develop choreography that integrates their own soundscape into the dance.

We will begin with a guided warm-up, focusing on breath, alignment, and grounding.

The warm-up will incorporate Firebird-inspired movements and gestures, such as flapping

wings pecking beaks and flocking. In addition, participants will explore different sounds and

vocalizations inspired by the Firebird. The instructor will guide participants in using their own

bodies and found objects as percussive instruments to create dynamic and expressive sounds.

The instructor will provide prompts and imagery to inspire sound-making, such as “the trill of a

bird’s song” or “the flutter of wings.” Using found objects and their own bodies, participants

will work individually or in small groups to create their own soundscape. Each participant can

bring their own found objects to make sounds. At the end of class using the sounds and

instruments as well as movements explored in the previous sections, participants will be

encouraged to create their own soundscape choreography that they can bring to the Firebird

Parade on July 8nd. Details TBA

EVENT DETAILS

Lace up your sneakers! Join Go Run Chicago’s series of organized Saturday morning community runs. The events are open to everyone – long-time runners, newcomers, families and children are invited to take part.

Registration Opens: Friday @ 3:00 p.m. the week prior to each ‘Go Run™

Registration Closes: Friday @ 2:00 p.m. the day prior to each ‘Go Run™ 

Register here

EVENT DETAILS

Join the Chicago Park District and Chicago Adventure Therapy for a series of facilitated Community Climbing events. Ages 8 and up. These climbs are FREE and includes equipment (harness, helmet, climbing shoes) and the use of the climbing systems. Registration is required. Walk-ups are welcome but climbing opportunities are limited to availability.

Climbers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian*

All climbers must agree to a waiver*

Register for a time slot!

11am – 12pm

12pm – 1pm

1pm – 2pm

EVENT DETAILS

The Big Marsh Mountain Bike Race Series on Wednesday evenings starts on May 31st and continues on June 14th, June 28th, July 12th, and August 2nd. Expert races start at 6PM, Youth at 6:45, Beginners at 7:15 and Intermediate at 7:45. Follow bigmarshchicago on Instagram for updates.

Click here for more information!

EVENT DETAILS

Come explore the beauty of Big Marsh! Under the guidance of a conservation scientist, learn about the biology of important local species, practice identifying dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies in the field*, and learn how to monitor for the Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network and the Illinois Odonate Survey! All abilities and ages are welcome; recommended for adults and children ages 8+ with an accompanying guardian.

*workshop logistics are weather dependent and subject to change

EVENT DETAILS

The Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology presents a series of guided soundwalks, workshops and training sessions that engage multi-generational communities in their own neighborhoods. Participants will listen for cultural and natural features of the landscape. Each walk will be led by a local sound artist who provides a unique thematic focus.

EVENT DETAILS

The Big Marsh Mountain Bike Race Series on Wednesday evenings starts on May 31st and continues on June 14th, June 28th, July 12th, and August 2nd. Expert races start at 6PM, Youth at 6:45, Beginners at 7:15 and Intermediate at 7:45. Follow bigmarshchicago on Instagram for updates.

Click here for more information!

EVENT DETAILS

Did you know that there are almost a dozen species of bat found in Chicago? Despite their often-negative reputation, these flying mammals play an important role in our local ecosystem and lives. Join experts Maggie Jones and Edward Warden for a program all about our local bat species followed by a hike in search of these misunderstood creatures.

This program is free but requires RSVP. Please do so here and indicate how many people will be attending with you.

EVENT DETAILS

Join the Chicago Park District and Chicago Adventure Therapy for a series of facilitated Community Climbing events. Ages 8 and up. These climbs are FREE and includes equipment (harness, helmet, climbing shoes) and the use of the climbing systems. Registration is required. Walk-ups are welcome but climbing opportunities are limited to availability.

Climbers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian*

All climbers must agree to a waiver*

Register for a time slot!

11am – 12pm

12pm – 1pm

1pm – 2pm

EVENT DETAILS

Join the Chicago Park District and Chicago Adventure Therapy for a series of facilitated Community Climbing events. Ages 8 and up. These climbs are FREE and includes equipment (harness, helmet, climbing shoes) and the use of the climbing systems. Registration is required. Walk-ups are welcome but climbing opportunities are limited to availability.

Climbers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian*

All climbers must agree to a waiver*

Register for a time slot!

10am – 11am

11am – 12pm

12pm – 1pm

EVENT DETAILS

Join the Chicago Park District and Chicago Adventure Therapy for a series of facilitated Community Climbing events. Ages 8 and up. These climbs are FREE and includes equipment (harness, helmet, climbing shoes) and the use of the climbing systems. Registration is required. Walk-ups are welcome but climbing opportunities are limited to availability.

Climbers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian*

All climbers must agree to a waiver*

Register for a time slot!

12pm – 1pm

1pm – 2pm

2pm – 3pm