Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center One of six Nature Centers of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Like and follow to learn more about upcoming programs!
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Connect with the historic past of the Palos Hills at The Little Red Schoolhouse. Built in 1886 amidst farms, woods, and prairie, the schoolhouse replaced a log cabin school and hosted generations of children. Now hikers enjoy country lanes once used by its students. Originally located on the Black Oak Trail at old 99th Street, the schoolhouse was moved in 1932 to Camp Kiwanis by a local resident u

sing only one mule and log rollers. Classes continued there until 1948. In 1952 it was moved to its present site, and in 1955 reopened as a unique, new kind of school. In place of reading, writing, and arithmetic, children and adults learn about plants, animals, and the natural world around us. The Forest Preserves of Cook County, with nearly 70,000 acres, is the largest urban forest preserve district in the United States. It receives an estimated 40 million visits each year, providing an escape into a world teeming with wildlife and rich with outdoor recreation and environmental education opportunities. Within its boundaries are rare habitats that offer plant and animal diversity on par with the rainforests of the world. This natural heritage offers something for everyone. This policy has been created for the Forest Preserves of Cook County and its social media followers/visitors to share news, ideas and events. We welcome engagement and feedback, but comments posted by a member of the public are the opinion of the poster only, and do not necessarily imply endorsement of or reflect the opinions or policies of the Forest Preserves. Comments containing any of the following content will not be permitted and are subject to removal and/or restriction at any time and without prior notice:

Obscene, sexual or pornographic content and/or language
Content that promotes discrimination by the government on the basis of race, age, religion, gender or other protected class
Private, personal information published without consent
True threats to any person
Conduct that violates any federal, state, or local law or encourages illegal activity
Spam, commercial promotions or links to malware or viruses
Actual defamation
The Forest Preserves reserves the right to deny access to our social media sites for any individual who repeatedly violates the Forest Preserves social media policy, at any time and without prior notice. All comments posted to any Forest Preserves social site are bound by the social media platform’s terms of use or code of conduct. Users who enter private or personal information do so at their own risk, and the Forest Preserves is not responsible for any damages resulting from the public display of, or failure to remove, private or personal information. Content posted on the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s social media sites may be subject to disclosure under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and retention under the Local Records Act. This policy and terms of use may be amended from time-to-time, without further notice.

To Catch a CrayfishWe’ll set out traps and explore the amazing arthropods we discover. Ages 7 & up.Saturday, June 20th10...
06/06/2026

To Catch a Crayfish

We’ll set out traps and explore the amazing arthropods we discover. Ages 7 & up.

Saturday, June 20th
10:30am

Call (708) 839-6897 or visit the link below for more information:
https://fpdcc.com/event/to-catch-a-crayfish/

📷Kevin Baecker

Community Book Swap @ Swallow Cliff Woods- NorthBring in your gently used books and leave with some new-to-you books! Bo...
06/04/2026

Community Book Swap @ Swallow Cliff Woods- North

Bring in your gently used books and leave with some new-to-you books! Books can be any genre and reading level.

Saturday, June 6th
11:00am

Call (312) 533-5751 or visit the link below for more information:
https://fpdcc.com/event/community-book-swap-4/

Sunrise HikeStep into the quiet stillness of early morning and join us for a before-hours hike to witness the beauty of ...
06/03/2026

Sunrise Hike

Step into the quiet stillness of early morning and join us for a before-hours hike to witness the beauty of a new day. Gates and restroom open 15 minutes prior to start time.

Sunday, June 14th
4:45am

*Registration Required*
Call (708) 839-6897 to register.

Visit the link below for more information:
https://fpdcc.com/event/sunrise-hike-18/

R.I.P. StewardshipHelp us restore native habitats – Remove Invasive Plants with bow saws or loppers. Tools, gloves & sna...
06/01/2026

R.I.P. Stewardship

Help us restore native habitats – Remove Invasive Plants with bow saws or loppers. Tools, gloves & snack provided. Closed toed shoes & long pants encouraged. Children aged 15 & under w/adult.

Saturday, June 13th
10:00am

*Registration Required*
Call (708) 839-6897 to register.

Visit the link below for more information:
https://fpdcc.com/event/r-i-p-stewardship-8/

📷Karen Garrett

Join us tomorrow for our Nature is Accessible Event where we will have lots of nature-related activities for all to enjo...
05/29/2026

Join us tomorrow for our Nature is Accessible Event where we will have lots of nature-related activities for all to enjoy! We will also be featuring our GRIT all-terrain wheelchairs in both adult and junior sizes that are available daily for rental at our nature center.

S.E.N.I.O.R.S.Seniors Enjoying Nature Inside/Outside Rain or Shine! Seniors can deepen their connection to the outdoors ...
05/28/2026

S.E.N.I.O.R.S.

Seniors Enjoying Nature Inside/Outside Rain or Shine! Seniors can deepen their connection to the outdoors with fresh, engaging nature programs offered each month. Ages 55 & up.

Thursday, June 11th
10:00am

Call (708) 839-6897 or visit the link below for more information:
https://fpdcc.com/event/s-e-n-i-o-r-s-7/

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center is hosting a trash bash this Saturday and will have partners on site accepting man...
05/27/2026

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center is hosting a trash bash this Saturday and will have partners on site accepting many hard-to-recycle items!

Everyone in NatureJoin a sensory class where individuals with disabilities and homeschoolers can learn about nature. Par...
05/27/2026

Everyone in Nature

Join a sensory class where individuals with disabilities and homeschoolers can learn about nature. Participants must be with an adult.

Wednesday, June 10th
1:00pm

*Registration Required*
Call (708) 839-6897 to register.

Visit the link below for more information:
https://fpdcc.com/event/everyone-in-nature-7/

Cheers to Nature @ Swallow Cliff Woods PavilionEnjoy a relaxing evening with a lecture about current topics in the envir...
05/26/2026

Cheers to Nature @ Swallow Cliff Woods Pavilion

Enjoy a relaxing evening with a lecture about current topics in the environmental field. BYOB. Ages 21 & up.

Friday, May 29th
7:00 - 8:30pm

Call (312) 533-5751 or email [email protected] for more information.

https://fpdcc.com/event/cheers-to-nature-2/

Address

9800 Willow Springs Road
Willow Springs, IL
60480

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm
Saturday 8am - 4:30pm
Sunday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+17088396897

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