Bolingbrook, IL – Hidden Oaks Nature Center welcomed back the public Saturday during a community celebration marking its grand reopening after a 15-month closure for major renovations.
More than 1,400 attendees enjoyed the “Oak-tacular Comeback Celebration,” which featured outdoor fun such as tree climbing, beekeeping demonstrations, live music, roasted hot dogs, face painting, and new interactive exhibits focused on oak trees and their ecological significance.
According to the Forest Preserve District of Will County, the $2 million transformation of the Bolingbrook-based facility aimed to revamp the 33-acre site into a hub for nature education and recreation in northern Will County. The Forest Preserve purchased the property from the Bolingbrook Park District in February 2022.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony drew local officials and dignitaries, including Forest Preserve Board President Destinee Ortiz, multiple board commissioners, state Sen. Rachel Ventura, Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta, and project manager Patrick Moore of Wight and Company.
Ortiz addressed the crowd during the event, emphasizing the vision behind the improvements. “We’ve worked over the past few years to transform this facility and property into a truly immersive place that allows you to escape to nature in the middle of an urban environment,” she said.
Forest Preserve Executive Director Ralph Schultz highlighted the ecological focus of the new exhibits. “Oaks support over 2,000 other species, making them truly a keystone in the community,” he said. “The center is more than a building — it’s a space for discovery, learning, and inspiration.”
Hidden Oaks Nature Center, located at 419 Trout Farm Road, is now open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and includes access to Hidden Lakes Trout Farm and the Tackle Box bait shop.
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