DuPage Co. Forest Preserve Dist. notes
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County will offer the following programs. No reservations are required and programs are free, unless otherwise noted. For details, visit www.dupageforest.com.
Valentines: Sweethearts and Valentines offers examples of old valentines and their history during tours on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays, Thursday to Monday and Feb. 14 and 15, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. For details, call (630) 876-5900.
• A Valentine Night Walk is planned to four bridges over Salt Creek and hot cocoa around a fire from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14 at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. The event is drop-in. For details, call (630) 850-8110.
Lambing: Guests will see the new lambs, some as they're being born, and learn about livestock on the farm from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays to Mondays through Feb. 18 at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. For details, call (630) 876-5900.
Hayrides: Danada Equestrian Center will offer 30-minute horse-drawn hayrides from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 17 and 24 at Danada, Danada, 3S501 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton. Ride fees are $5 per adult, $2 per child ages 5 to 12 and free for children younger than 5. Tickets are sold the day of the event. For details, call (630) 668-6012.
Blacksmith: The blacksmith will demonstrate repair of equipment and the tools of his trade from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. For details, call (630) 876-5900.
Cross-country skiing: An Introduction to Cross-country skiing, with a focus on the differences in equipment and styles, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Youth-Group Cabin at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve, Herrick and Butterfield roads, Wheaton. The program is for ages 5 and older. Equipment will be provided. For reservations, call (630) 933-7248.
Fancywork Day: House tours will offer a look at knitting, bobbins and shuttles used in Victorian times to create decorative items for the homes 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. The program is free. For details, call (630) 876-5900.
Wild Dogs: The history of the Wild Dogs of DuPage will be the focus from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 16 at Willowbrook Wildlife Haven, 2S101 Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. This program is for ages 8 and older. Reservations are requested by calling (630) 942-6200.
Geocaching Adventure: Families are invited to a hi-tech treasure hunt from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 17 at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Reservations are requested for ages 5 and older. For reservations, call (630) 850-8110.
Kids' Environment: An Environmental Awareness for Kids offering time to explore trails and "Leave No Trace" will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Youth-Group Cabin at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve, Herrick and Butterfield roads, Wheaton. The program is for ages 5 and older. Reservations are requested by calling (630) 933-7248.
Volunteer orientation: Take the Leap offers a look at volunteer opportunities in area forest preserve locations from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at the forest preserve headquarters, 3S580 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton. Reservations are requested by calling (630) 933-7681.
Ice fishing: A clinic for beginners will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 24 at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve Youth-Group Cabin, Herrick and Butterfield roads, Wheaton. Fishing will follow the workshop, weather permitting. Equipment and bait will be provided. An adult must accompany children younger than 18. Reservations are required by calling (630) 933-7248.
Winter sports: Winter thrill seekers can get their kicks tubing when there is at least 3 inches of snow on Mount Hoy in Blackwell Forest Preserve on Butterfield Road, west of Winfield Road, Warrenville.
When conditions are favorable, tubing is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends through February. The hill will be open for the school holiday Feb. 18.
Only forest preserve district inner tubes are permitted and may be rented for $4 per tube per day. Tube rental ends at 3:30 p.m. To hear current tubing conditions, call the district's outdoor report at (630) 871-6422.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available when conditions permit at the following forest preserves: Herrick Lake and Danada in Wheaton, Blackwell in Warrenville, Waterfall Glen in Darien, Greene Valley in Naperville, West DuPage Woods in West Chicago, Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook and Springbrook Prairie in Naperville.
All trail users are asked to take care to not damage tracks that have been set. To hear a trail-conditions report, call (630) 871-6422.
Frozen lakes provide opportunities for ice skaters and anglers. At least 4 inches of ice is recommended for any ice activity. Rangers do not monitor ice thickness, and all ice-related activities are done at the user's own risk.
In addition to regular state and district fishing regulations, each individual is permitted to fish from no more than two ice-fishing holes at one time, and holes may be no more than 10 inches in diameter. Due to water-level issues, ice skating and ice fishing are prohibited at Spring Creek Reservoir Forest Preserve in Bloomingdale.
Visitors are welcome to sled at their own risk at any forest preserve location, unless otherwise posted. Sledding is always prohibited at Mount Hoy at Blackwell, the closed landfill sites at Green Valley and Mallard Lake forest preserves and any slopes at Spring Creek Reservoir Forest Preserve.
A calendar of events is listed on the district's Web site and in the district's quarterly publication, The DuPage Conservationist. Subscriptions are free to DuPage County residents and $5 for others. Call the subscription line at (630) 933-7085 or view the publication online at www.dupageforest.com.