Lake County's Prairie Pedal celebrates 15th year
The 15th annual Prairie Pedal, organized by the Liberty Prairie Conservancy, will be held Sunday, May 15.
Participants choose from four route lengths — 4, 9, 12, and 27 miles — that take riders on trails and two rural roads closed to through traffic. At two of the rest stops, riders can view Lake County's birds and waterfowl at bird-watching stations staffed with knowledgeable birding volunteers. Last year's event attracted more than 600 riders.
Other nature education features will include live hawks and owls courtesy of Linda Breuer, a raptor rehabilitator from Wauconda; live reptiles from the Village of Lake Forest's Wildlife Discovery Center; and nature-themed games for children.
“This is a unique event that gets families outside together and connects kids to nature,” said Liberty Prairie Conservancy Executive Director Steve Barg.
“We have a huge following of returning riders who get the word out for us on what a great day this really is.”
For details or to register, visit www.libertyprairie.org or call (847) 548-5989, ext. 33. Registration is $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 6 to 17 and free for kids younger than 6.
Admission includes the ride experience, nature education, gourmet lunch, ice cream, live music and massages. Walk-up registration is welcome at the event's starting point, Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital's Grayslake Campus, from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
The Liberty Prairie Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that helps to preserve and steward natural areas, farmland and other open space throughout Lake County. Established in 1995, the member-supported group works on public, private and nonprofit lands.