DuPage forest preserves offer horse-drawn hayrides

Posted September 12, 2016 11:00 pm

By Deb Humiston Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Visitors can learn about the cultural and natural history of DuPage County during guided horse-drawn hayrides at several forest preserve locations.

The rides begin Saturday, Sept. 17, at Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton.

Thirty-minute weekend rides are returning to Danada at 1, 1:45 and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 17 to Oct. 2 and Oct. 22 to Nov. 6. Rides also are in the lineup for the center's "Danada Fall Festival" from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9. Groups can reserve private rides by calling (630) 668-6012.

All DuPage County Forest Preserve District horse-drawn hayrides cost $5 per person for ages 5 and older and are free for kids younger than 5. Children younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Rides will be on a first-come, first-served basis; registration is not required, but the district will cancel rides if there's severe weather.

Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago, the district's 1890s living-history farm, is hosting rides from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15 and 16, during "Corn Harvest"; Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11, at Christmas on the Farm; and Jan. 21 at Ice Harvest; as well as Saturdays and Sundays in April and May. For details or to reserve a private group ride at Kline Creek Farm, call (630) 876-5900.

Just in time for winter, St. James Farm in Warrenville is offering 20-minute sleigh rides at 2, 2:30 and 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Dec. 21 to Jan. 7. Wagons will be used if there's not ample snow on the trails.

The farm is also featuring hayrides at its Family Field Day May 27. Private group rides at St. James Farm can be arranged by calling (630) 580-7025.

Finally, to complement special events at other forest preserve locations, the district is bringing horse-drawn rides to Talons and Claus on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn and Wonders of Winter on Feb. 4 at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook.

For more information on the DuPage forest district and its programs, visit dupageforest.org.

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