Peck Farm Park gets donation from Yorkville school students

On May 24, 60 first-graders from Bristol Grade School went on a field trip to Peck Farm Park in Geneva. Bristol Grade School is part of the Yorkville Community School District 115 in Yorkville.

Each year, the Bristol Grade School first-graders create artwork and auction it to raise money to donation to a local business or charity. This year, they raised $576 and donated it to Peck Farm Park.

"I was surprised and thrilled to receive such a generous donation. It is truly an honor to teach these first graders about nature and science with hands-on activities. The donation will go toward the Butterfly House and a variety of field trip supplies," said Trish Burns, manager of Peck Farm Park.

"The students were so passionate about raising money for the butterflies and for Peck Farm Park, they were excited to present Trish the check on our field trip to Peck Farm Park," said Nicole Baum, Bristol School first-grade teacher. "Peck Farm is a treasure in the community, providing students valuable learning opportunities that they could never experience in the walls of a classroom. Through a hands-on approach, students were able to explore, play, and learn about the natural wonders found here in Illinois. It was an excellent addition to our social studies and science curriculum," said Baum.

The children learned all about insects on their field trip; which included a hike exploring the prairie for insects, learning about the life cycle of butterflies and experience hundreds of live butterflies inside the Butterfly House.

"After lunch, the children explored the captivating views inside the Silo, learned about native animals and birds, discovered the rich history of the Peck Family inside the Peck Farm House and burned off energy playing at Hawks Hollow Nature Playground," Burns said.

Peck Farm Park is a 385-acre natural retreat located at 4038 Kaneville Road in Geneva.

The park features a 19-acre wetland, nature and bike trails, sensory garden, observation silo, outdoor amphitheater, butterfly house, nature playground, history gallery, nature exploration room, and gift shop. The park is open year-round. Trails and other outdoor areas are open daily from sunrise to 10 p.m. Buildings are open in the spring from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday through October.

For more information, visit genevaparks.org or call (630) 232-4542.