There’s something for everyone at the Southeast Side parks! From festivals, to campouts, to climbing classes, check out all the exciting outdoor adventures we have planned in your community.
The Chicago Park District has adjusted its programs and events schedule in response to the modified Stay at Home order. Please note that all program dates are subject to change based on guidance from City and State public health officials.
Join us for a facilitated community climbing event at Steelworkers Park. Ages 8 and up. Each event is brought to you by a different sponsor. CPD issued climbing equipment (harness, helmets and shoes) and facilitated use of the auto-belays is included.
All climbers must agree to a waiver, valid for 12 months.
Big Marsh
11559 S. Stony Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60633
EVENT DETAILS
Join Chicago Ornithological Society (COS) on a journey through Big Marsh, one of the largest and most high quality wetlands in Chicago. Beginning birders are welcome. Extra binoculars will be available.
Big Marsh Park
11559 S. Stony Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60617
EVENT DETAILS
Join the Chicago Park District and Friends of the Chicago River at Big Marsh Park for a day of fun and educational activities for all ages. As part of the Friends of the Chicago River Inside, Out & About initiative, come tour the new Ford Calumet Environmental Center, hike (or bike) the park trails and participate in hands-on science activities, cozy up in the reading nook or choose your own adventure. The day culminates in a special presentation on the history of the Chicago River.
Schedule of events:
11 – 11:45am Welcome & Self-guided Tour of the new Ford Calumet Environmental Center
11:30am – 12:30pm Little Beaver Story Time*
12noon – 1pm Self-guided Nature Exploration Hike (Wetlands, Birds, Insects, Eco-Recreation)
1 – 2pm Macroinvertebrate Study in the Science Lab
2 – 3pm History of the Chicago River Presentation* – two sessions starting at 2 and 2:30pm
Science in the Parks: Explore the Night Sky at Big Marsh Park
Time
Saturday, October 16th
5:30pm - 8pm
Location
Big Marsh Park
11559 S. Stony Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60617
EVENT DETAILS
Join C2ST and partners in person at Big Marsh Park to explore the night sky, learn about the cosmos, and learn how to use a telescope.
Ready to see the night sky in a whole new light? As we continue our Science in the Parks series, we are excited to journey across the cosmos with the University of Chicago’s Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, the Chicago Astronomer Crew led by Joe Guzman, and–of course–the Chicago Park District to bring astronomy to Big Marsh Park!
Whether you’re a first-time viewer or a seasoned veteran of the night sky this program should be a blast! Together we will experience the conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn and the moon under night skies, and learn what is happening in the solar system this fall, from seasonal deep space objects to upcoming meteor showers and eclipses.
Big Marsh
11559 S. Stony Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60633
EVENT DETAILS
Join Chicago Ornithological Society (COS) on a journey through Big Marsh, one of the largest and most high quality wetlands in Chicago. Beginning birders are welcome. Extra binoculars will be available.
Join us for a facilitated community climbing event at Steelworkers Park. Ages 8 and up. Each event is brought to you by a different sponsor. CPD issued climbing equipment (harness, helmets and shoes) and facilitated use of the auto-belays is included.
All climbers must agree to a waiver, valid for 12 months.
Big Marsh
11559 S. Stony Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60633
EVENT DETAILS
Come join artist Matthew Kaplan for a talk on his life and work in the Calumet Region. This event is indoors and has limited capacity. RSVP and face masks required.
Photographs from the series The Industrial Heritage of the Calumet, River and Region are currently on display in the Ford Calumet Environmental Center. You can view them Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm.
About the artist: For over three decades, Chicago photographer Matthew Kaplan has been documenting the evolving social-industrial landscape in and around his hometown of Whiting Indiana, with its sprawling oil refinery and nearby steel mills, as well as the surrounding Calumet Region.
His photographs are displayed in the Ford Calumet Environmental Center through November 27th.
Hegewisch Marsh
13298 S. Torrence Ave.
Chicago, IL 60633
EVENT DETAILS
Join Chicago Ornithological Society (COS) for a morning of birding in one of Chicago’s better wetland habitats. Expect a nice variety of migrating waterfowl and wintering passerines. Beginner birders are welcome.
