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Not long ago, as the geologist measures time, the water released from a melting glacier created a large lake which covered most of Cook County. This water stood 40 feet deep over what is now the Sand Ridge Nature Center. As the water found its way to the ocean, the level of the lake dropped forming beaches and low sand dunes on many temporary shorelines. Prairies and forests grew on the sandy soil of the long ridges left behind as the lake receded. The lower areas, between the ridges, developed into large wetland communities. Today, the nature center building stands on a broad, low ridge of sand and water polished pebbles deposited by a much larger Lake Michigan thousands of years ago.
Sand Ridge Nature Center opened its doors to the public in 1962. In 1992, an extensive reconstruction and renovation project was started and completed the following year. The new facility will allow the tradition of quality education and outdoor recreation at Sand Ridge to grow and continue into the future.
PROGRAMS: Throuout the year guided walks, demonstrations, audio-visual programs and special events ares offered. Ask to a seasonal schedule of pograms at Sand Ridge and other Cook County Forest Preserve District facilities.
RESERVATIONS: All groups of 15 or more must schedule their visit through the nature center. Teachers, please inquire about special educational programs for your class at Sand Ridge. Naturalist visits to schools and local natural history videos available for loan.
[CLONK notes: Information on hours and phone numbers has been removed from this page.]
This page is based on a publication of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois, adapted for the web as a public service by CLONK. This web site is unofficial, and not associated in any way with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. CLONK is not responsible for any errors, either in the original publication or in this web version. The information presented here follows the original Forest Preserve District publication as closely as possible, with minor variations such as choice of typeface and added web links. CLONK cautions that items such as names of public servants and telephone numbers are subject to change!
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