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Health & Fitness

Families Invited to Enjoy, Care for Parks during Chicago Wilderness Day of Service Sept. 29

A visit to a Chicago or Cook County park on Sept. 29 can benefit families and nature as Chicago Wilderness is hosting a "Day of Service."

 

A visit to an area park on Sept. 29 can benefit both families and nature as Chicago Wilderness Corporate Council hosts a “Day of Service.” Whether collecting seeds, clearing brush or distributing mulch, there are large amounts of open space and natural areas in the region. The day of service offers an opportunity for the public to give back to nature while helping to protect and restore these natural areas.

 

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“These parks provide us with wonderful recreational opportunities as well as clean air and water, so it is important to spend some time lavishing care and attention in these areas,” said Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Commissioner Debra Shore. “The day of service is a fun-filled way to give back in just a few hours.”

 

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MWRD is a founding member of Chicago Wilderness, a regional alliance that connects people and nature. More than 260 public, private and corporate organizations work together to restore local nature and improve the quality of life for all who live here, by protecting the lands and waters on which we all depend. Organized activities take place from 9 a.m. to noon, and participants are welcome to extend the length of their visit to enjoy the surroundings. For more information and to register, email dayofservice@chicagowilderness.org or visit www.chicagowilderness.org.

 

Volunteer sites and activities in Cook County include:

 

Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Chicago Park District, 3400 North Lake Shore, Lincoln Park, Chicago

Activity: Seed collection, removing invasive plants and cleanup

 

Dunning Read Conservation Area

Chicago Park District, Irving Park & Oak Park Avenues, Chicago

Activity: Removing invasive plants, constructing fences with buckthorn

Children 10 and older accompanied by parent welcome

 

Gompers Park

Chicago Park District, 4222 West Foster, Chicago

Activity: Planting, mulching & cleanup

Children 10 and older accompanied by parent welcome

 

Wooded Island, Jackson Park

Chicago Park District, 5800 South Science Drive, Chicago

Activity: Removing invasive plants

Children must be accompanied by adult

 

Pioneer Woods

Forest Preserve District of Cook County, 107th Street, Palos Hills

Activity: Brush clearing

Children 13 and older are welcome

 

Whistler Woods

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

134th & Halsted Streets, Riverdale

Activity: Removing invasive plants & cleanup

Children eight and older accompanied by parent

 

Wolf Road Prairie

31st Street west of Wolf Road, Westchester

Activity: Seed collection

Children 14 and older welcome

 

To see a copy of the poster for the complete listing of regional parks, visit: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/37311095/CW%20Day%20of%20Service%20poster%202012.pdf.

 

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