The Great Outdoors

The GreatOUTDOORS

DeKalb County boasts an abundance of forest preserves and parks. Among our three major trails is the Great Western Trail. Over 17 miles long, it is a favorite for biking or snowmobiling. It connects with another trail system that runs close to Chicago. If you are looking for a local excursion, the DeKalb/Sycamore Trail connects local parks for convenient rest stops or for picnic and play. The Kiwanis Pathway Trail starts in DeKalb’s beautiful Prairie Park and passes along the West side of NIU campus where it connects with the DeKalb/ Sycamore Trail.

Other local parks, such as Lions Park in DeKalb, offer play areas and shelters to host a party or picnic. Several offer winter ice skating. For sledding and cross country skiing, Russell Woods in Kingston is a favorite. It hosts a Winterfest every January which includes horse-drawn wagon rides and plenty of entertainment and activities.

Forest Preserves

Adee’s Woods 4106 Old State Rd., Kirkland Afton Forest Preserve 13600 Crego Rd., DeKalb Chief Shabbona Forest Preserve 4490 Preserve Rd., Shabbona County Farm Woods 2305 Rt. 23, DeKalb Hoppe Heritage Farmstead/ 1835 Miller Elwood Cabin/ South Branch Prairie 31966 Pleasant Hill Rd., Kingston Knute Olson Jr. Forest Preserve 12595 Baseline Rd., Kingston MacQueen Forest Preserve 3640 Scout Rd., Kirkland Merritt Woods Prairie 14401 Keslinger Rd., DeKalb Natural Resource Education Center Russell Woods Forest Preserve • Genoa 784-2000

P.A. Nehring Forest Preserve 380 Bethany Rd., DeKalb Potawatomi Forest Preserve 32199 Kirkland Rd., Kirkland Prairie Oaks & Swanson Grove Forest Preserve 7535 Cherry Valley Rd. Kingston Russell Woods 11750 Rt. 72 Rd., Genoa Sannauk Forest Preserve 15250 US Rt. 34, Somonauk Sycamore Forest Preserve 955 E. State St., Sycamore Wilkinson-Renwick Marsh Forest Preserve Glidden Rd. & Illinois Rt. 64, Clare

Parks

Chamberlain Park 400 E. Second St., Genoa 784-5612 • genoaparks.com Cortland Community Park 70 S. Llanos St., Cortland 756-9041 • cortlandil.org David Carroll Memorial Park Park Ave. & Madison St., Genoa 784-5612 • genoaparkdistrict.com DeKalb Kiwanis Park Fairview & S. 4th St., DeKalb 758-6663 dekalbparkdistrict.com DeKalb Park District, Aquatic Center & Hopkins Park 1403 Sycamore Rd., DeKalb 758-6663 • dekalbparkdistrict.com Genoa Township Park, Pool & Recreation Center 400 E. 2nd St., Genoa 784-5612 • genoaparks.com Harkness Lake Park Water Stone Way, Malta 825-2330 • villageofmalta.net Harvey Creek Conservation Area Lions Rd., Sandwich 786-8044 sandwichparkdistrict.org

• Great Western Trail

If hiking, biking or snowmobiling is your interest, try the Great Western Nature Trail, which starts in

DeKalb County and extends through Kane County to the Fox River Trail. • DeKalb/Sycamore Trail

The DeKalb/Sycamore Trail links the DeKalb Park

District Trail from Lions Park on DeKalb’s south side to Sycamore and the Great Western Trail. County

Farm Woods linked to the DeKalb/Sycamore Trail and is a great rest stop along your way. • Kiwanis Pathway Trail

For trail maps visit dekalbcounty.org/departments/forest-preserve/ Many of our businesses are bike friendly. For a complete list visit PedalPal.org

Kiernan Park N. Locust St., Genoa 784-5612 • genoaparks.com Lion’s Park 101 Monroe St., Malta 825-2330 • villageofmalta.net Lions Corner Park 13001 Walnut St., Genoa 784-5612 • genoaparks.com Milestone Park 1375 N. Castle St., Sandwich 786-8044 sandwichparkdistrict.org Muingan Park 430 E. Garfield St., Waterman 264-3652 Pioneer Park 650 W. Lincoln Ave., Hinckley 286-3836 Sandwich Park District 1001 N. Latham St., Sandwich 786-8044 sandwichparkdistrict.org Shabbona Lake State Park 100 Preserve Rd., Shabbona 824-2106 • shabbonalake.com Somonauk Community Park 470 S. Depot St., Somonauk 498-3500 • vil.somonauk.il.us Sycamore Lake Rotary Park 400 N. Cross St., Sycamore 895-3365 sycamoreparkdistrict.com Sycamore Park District, Community Park & Pool 940 E. State St., Sycamore 895-3365 sycamoreparkdistrict.com Sycamore Park District Sports Complex 435 S. Airport Rd., Sycamore 895-3365 sycamoreparkdistrict.com Village of Hinckley, Parks & Recreation 720 James St., Hinckley 739-1336 • hinckleyil. govoffice3.com Waterman Lions Community Park 435 S. Birch St., Waterman 264-3652