Top 4 Natural Monuments around Glenview

This 23-acre arboretum is a refreshing oasis of nature along the North Shore Channel. It also holds the Evanston Ecology Center, a small educational facility with a nature classroom and fun, interactive programming. (The Evanston Ecology Center is closed for renovations until August 2025.)

The Grove is a popular attraction in the Glenview Park District, featuring 150 acres of diverse land. Established by Dr. John Kennicott in 1836, it became home to his son, naturalist Robert Kennicott. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976, The Grove offers trails through oak-hickory savannas and wetlands, highlighting the history of Native American tribes and pioneer settlers.

With 150 acres of ecologically diverse land preserved and maintained by the Glenview Park District, The Grove is one of the Glenview Park District’s busiest attractions. In 1836, visionary horticulturist and educator Dr. John Kennicott settled on the property from New Orleans. His son, Robert Kennicott, became a prominent early naturalist and kept part of his plant and animal specimen collection at The Grove. Robert Kennicott also founded the Chicago Academy of Sciences. In 1976, The Grove was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is a partner of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Chicago Wilderness. Experience Glenview’s most unique outdoor history and nature museum at The Grove. Venture on trails through the oak-hickory savanna, past wetland pools, and stop to watch a family of turtles. Learn about the Native American tribes and pioneer settlers who lived on this land and the tremendous impact they had on our community. https://glenviewparks.org/facilities/the-grove/

If you are biking along the North Branch Red Paved Trail or the dirt horse trail that follows the Skokie River, you'll pass through a bunch of different parks and preserves. The Watersmeet Woods is one of those natural preserves that the trails pass through.

Situated where the east and middle forks of the Chicago River merge, Watersmeet Woods earns its name from this distinctive convergence. The varied collection of trees, shrubs, sedges, grasses, and wildflowers within this natural haven thrives thanks to the continuous efforts of volunteers participating in the North Branch Restoration Project.

Ladd Arboretum and Evanston Ecology Center create a scenic refuge along McCormick Boulevard, spanning 23 acres of reclaimed land along the North Shore Channel. Offering year-round natural beauty and recreation, the arboretum is complemented by the Ecology Center, a vibrant education hub hosting various programs, from Easter egg hunts to community plays and musical performances. This dynamic duo provides an engaging haven for nature lovers and community members alike.

The Edward L Ryerson Nature Preserve is a safe haven for a number of different plant and animal species. It has been noted that over 150 bird species and almost 600 different species of flowering plants reside within the preserve.

Explore the revitalized beauty of Elmwood Dunes Preserve on your run. This nearly-acre lakefront haven was restored through a collaborative effort involving the Village, grants, and dedicated volunteers. As you weave through the peaceful sanctuary, witness the thriving native plants and the restored habitat that once faced invasive challenges.