What is WeGo Exploring?
To help encourage the WeGo community to get out and "explore what's great outdoors in West Chicago," the partnership of the City of West Chicago, Healthy West Chicago, the West Chicago Park District, and the West Chicago City Museum have put together the WeGo Exploring community initiative.
The WeGo Exploring community initiative aims to promote the importance of being active outdoors for physical and mental health while also highlighting the many places to go and things to do outdoors within the community.
Where should I Go?
Everywhere! West Chicago offers many great places to discover and explore. From finding the oldest tree in the DuPage County Forest Preserve in the West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve to seeking out each of the many different parks, playgrounds, and trails the West Chicago Park District; there is no shortage of things to do and places to go in our community.
This webpage will serve as a fun guide to assist you with your journeys, and will be regularly updated with new places, events, trails, and activities for you to explore outdoors in West Chicago.
What are the Benefits of Being Active Outdoors?
Apart from physical health benefits, simply being active outdoors also has several mental health benefits including improved attention, lower stress, and enhanced memory.
In addition, being outdoors provides people with a sense of adventure and discovery when they change the locations where they explore!
How Do I Participate?
Participating in WeGo Exploring is as simple as lacing up your shoes and exploring the outdoors in West Chicago! Anyone can participate, and there are many great places to explore throughout the community.
Use the buttons below to navigate to different features of this webpage to help you start your adventure.
ENGAGE WITH OTHERS
Participate in Weekend Scavenger Hunts
Apart from sharing different places to explore, the WeGo Exploring initiative will also host several scavenger hunts throughout the spring and summer seasons to encourage participation and to provide opportunities to win some unique prizes.
Stay tuned on the any of the community partners’ communications platforms, or check back in at this site for more details!
Promote WeGo Exploring on Social Media
Help spread the word by sharing your adventures on social media with the hashtag, #wegoexploring. Those who help promote may also win a prize for helping building community support for this initiative.
Share Photos of Your Adventures with Others
Share your outdoor adventures with the community and be rewarded with prizes by sharing your photos. Photos can be of yourself and other outdoors, or can they be simply of things you’ve seen on your journeys throughout West Chicago.
The goal is to help others find the best outdoor places to explore within our community, so the more photos the better! To share your photos, simply fill out the details in the accompanying form and submit your photos.
WeGo Exploring Photo Submission
PLACES TO GO
Kline Creek Farm
Stroll through restored farmstead structures and meet the historically-costumed interpreters operating this living history farm using the tools and techniques of the past. Activities and events at the farm re-create the seasonal rhythms that have governed farm life for centuries.
Wiggly Field Dog Park
Of course you can bring your four-legged friends on your adventures! Check out Wiggly Field in Reed-Keppler Park and let your dog enjoy some time off the leash before you hit the trails.
West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve
Check out the 358 acres of wetlands and upland oak savannahs that make the West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve one of the most biologically diverse areas in the region. Unlike most parks and nature preserves, the Preserve doesn’t have huge lakes or designated picnic areas, so feel free to roam through nature.
Kress Creek Farms Park
Take the kids for some fun on the playground, enjoy a game of disc golf with some friends, or enjoy some of the walking trails available at Kress Creek Farms Park. After enjoying the different amenities of this park, perhaps enjoy a lunch picnic with others.
Illinois Prairie Path
The 61 mile long Illinois Prairie Path is a multi-use nature trail that runs through Cook, DuPage, and Kane Counties throughout northeastern Illinois. The recreational nature trail system is a frequent favorite of cyclists and hikers as it winds through many communities including directly thought the downtown of West Chicago.
Kruse House Museum and Gardens
The Kruse House Museum and Gardens at 527 Main Street offers visitors a singularly authentic experience of the past. Alongside the American four-square house from 1917, there is also large and elaborate garden featuring the original rock terraces and lily pond, along with an assortment of flowers and plants that are maintained by the West Chicago Garden Club. The Kruse House gardens are free to the public to stroll through.
Great Western Trail
The Great Western Trail is a trail that replaced the abandoned main line of the Chicago Great Western Railroad. The trail is 14 miles of an abandoned railway from St. Charles to the DeKalb County Line that is ideal for bicycling and hiking.
THINGS TO DO
Walk/Run at Cornerstone Lake
Bring the whole family out to Cornerstone Lake on Saturday, May 27 at 8 a.m., and join Healthy West Chicago and Mayor Pineda for a fun walk/run as part of the Move with the Mayor initiative.
West Chicago Memorial Day Service
As the country honors and commemorates fallen military members, you can do the same outdoors with the West Chicago community at the beautiful Oakwood Cemetery on Monday, May 29 at 10 a.m.
Touch-A-Truck
Enjoy the beautiful Reed-Keppler Park with your young family members at the Touch-A-Truck event happening on Saturday, June 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. There will be tons of large vehicles and machines to explore and climb outdoors.
West Chicago Art Banner Exhibit
Beginning in early May you can stroll through the downtown area of West Chicago to view 26 select pieces of artwork that are on display as part of the City of West Chicago’s annual Art Banner Exhibit. Viewers can also participate in voting for their favorite artwork to help select the 2023 People Choice Award winner.
Yoga in the Park
Bring a mat or blanket, and relax and enjoy a 45-minute outdoor yoga class at a different park each week this summer. Classes are for any age and ability and will be held on Tuesdays from May 24 through June 27 beginning at 6:30 p.m. No registration required, dates and locations available on Healthy West Chicago website.
Lawn Games at the Library
Grab the family and head to the library for an evening of fun games on the lawn! A variety of games will be set up for your enjoyment including volleyball, soccer, and more!
Wednesdays: June 7, 14, 21, 28; July 5, 12, 19, 26
No Registration Required.
West Chicago City Museum History Walks
The Museum will host themed history walks each month from May through September as part of the City Museum’s 150th Anniversary of the Town of Turner programming. Maps of themed walks will be released regularly and will be available at wegohistory.com, and can also be picked up from the Museum.
Park Passport
In celebration of Unplug Illinois Day, walk one mile in select West Chicago parks and complete fun activities from Saturday, July 15 through Saturday, August 25 as part of a 6-week event that inspires play, creativity, friendship and adventure for the whole family!
Fit & Fun Fest
Unplug with the West Chicago Park District on Saturday, July 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Reed-Keppler Park and enjoy a day of fitness and fun! Enjoy free activities, entertainment, and the Family Fun Run at 9 a.m.
PHOTO SUBMISSIONS
