📌 **5801 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60646**

North Park Village is a hidden nature oasis on the north side. This Chicago Park District nature preserve contains 46 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and grassland. The Nature Center is located within the North Park Village campus, a former tuberculosis sanitarium that now includes an apartment complex and offices in the original buildings—including Chicago Bird Alliance’s office.

The Nature Center has an educational facility in one of the older buildings, along with winding trails that loop through the various woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands.

Numerous migrant birds stop here during spring and fall migration, and in April, May, September, and October, there are Saturday morning bird walks cohosted by NPV:NC and CBA. Check our events page for details.

The Nature Center is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

by bike: Biking to North Park Village is unfortunately rather tricky. Pulaski feels unsafe unless you ride the sidewalk. Bryn Mawr is an option for riders from the North Branch Train cutting through the Weber Spur Trail at LaBagh. Bryn Mawr (to Central Park and through Peterson Park) is also an option for riders from the North Shore Channel Trail at Peterson Park.
by transit: A good walk is required from either bus route. 53-Pulaski will take you to the main entrance of the campus. 84-Peterson requires a walk through Peterson Park after getting off at Central Park or Lawndale.
by car: Enter the Village grounds at Ardmore from Pulaski Rd. Keep left at the roundabout and behind the Administration Building. Park on the aisle nearest the Nature Center on the north end of the lot.

💡 Fun Fact - Along with the Wooded Island Bird Walks at Jackson Park , North Park Village Migratory Bird Walks stands as one of the longest running recuring bird walks hosted by the Chicago Bird Alliance.

Birds

The North Park Village Nature Center has a good mix of habitats and is host to several warblers, grosbeaks, hawks, and more throughout the seasons.

eBird Hotspot Page

Habitats

Woodland area
Oak savanna
Prairie areas
Native plant garden
Lagoon and Wetland
Marshy edges
Forest edges
Shrubby areas

Accessibility and Amenities

Open Daily from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Nature Center Building
- Restrooms
- Gathering Space
- Play Area
- Learning exhibits
Dogs and bicycles are not permitted on the trails.
The trails are unpaved
Two other trails are available nearby inside the campus
- Walking Stick Woods
- North Park Village Rock Garden

Routes

A map of the biomes and trail at North Park Village Nature Center

North Park Village Birding Tour
Several route options are available, all starting from the Nature Center. The labeled Main Loop offers a quick view of all of the biomes, but the ideal route is to circle the entire facility. Take a peak over the prairie in the center, then head east to the wetland trail. Go over the hill and through the wetlands heading for the woodland. Take the extra steps through the savanna trail as you return to the Nature Center.

Walking Stick Woods and the Rock Garden

Just east of the Nature Center’s parking lot are two great alternatives when the Nature Center is closed, Walking Stick Woods and the Rock Garden.

Behind the Gymnasium
A quick pitstop is available anytime just off Pulaski Road. Make an immediate left into the parking lot behind the Peterson Park Gymnastics Center and walk to the gate. There you can peek through gated area for good warbler action during migration seasons.

Birder Stories

Spring Migration Birding at North Park Village - April 23, 2022

North Park Village Migratory Bird Walks occur during Spring and Fall migration. The group meets in the parking lot every Saturday at 8am in April, May, September, and October.

The walks are great for birders of all experiences with a welcoming community and a wide range of habitats. After completing a circuit around the trails, the group gathers to recap and completes a final count of all the birds seen.

The rich diversity in biomes attracts a great diversity during these walks. Warblers and the spotlight with large raptors. However, one of the great specialties at North Park is the number of great perching and feeding spots for hummingbirds—present for weeks during the migration season and all summer long.