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Join outdoor activities with Party for the Preserves

Throughout Cook County, residents and visitors can enjoy nearly 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. These public lands are available for numerous activities including hiking, biking, fishing and camping.

To celebrate these public lands in honor of National Public Lands Day, the Forest Preserves will be hosting two weekend Party for the Preserves events Saturdays, Sept. 22 and 29. At Camp Sullivan and Deer Grove East, visitors of all ages can enjoy nature exploration, dancing, stewardship and more.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, at Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Ave., in Oak Forest, Party for the Preserves attendees can join in on archery, nature hikes, nature crafting with Chicago Botanic Garden, and an outdoor skills workshop hosted by REI.

Attendees can also scale the campground's indoor climbing wall, enjoy live music and dancing, and participate in night hikes and stargazing. The event will run from 3 to 9 p.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 29, visitors of Deer Grove East, 1599 Pepper Tree Drive, Palatine, can join a bird walk led by Chicago Audubon Society at 8 a.m., and conduct restoration work with Deer Grove Natural Area Volunteers at 9 a.m. or 2 p.m.

Beginning at 1 p.m., there will also be natural material building, a mountain bike clinic hosted by REI, bird feeder building with Chicago Zoological Society, as well as stargazing with Adler Planetarium, and bat sonar and night hikes with the Forest Preserves.

Both events are free to attend; however, some items, including food, souvenirs and workshop materials, will be available for purchase on-site.

For information on the Party for the Preserves events, visit fpdcc.com/party, call (708) 386-4042, or email experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov.

On Saturday, Sept. 29, visitors to Deer Grove East in Palatine can join in natural material building, a mountain bike clinic hosted by REI, bird feeder building with Chicago Zoological Society, as well as stargazing with Adler Planetarium. Courtesy of Forest Preserves of Cook County
On Saturday, Sept. 22, at Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest, Party for the Preserves attendees can join in on archery, nature hikes, nature crafting and more. Courtesy of Forest Preserves of Cook County
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