Keay Nature Center, Illinois, United States

4.0 (14 reviews) Spent Ranking #4 in Wilmette Nature & Wildlife Areas • Educational sites

quiet spot

Almost as soon as you leave the parking lot, you cross a beautiful pond and enter a well-maintained, secluded nature preserve. . Most of the specimen trees in this lovely little park are clearly identified. As you bike or hike the winding half-mile trail, you will also pass many memorial plaques. On a typical visit, you might see dog walkers, young parents with strollers, kids on bikes, and possibly me -- with my tree and shrub field guide. Give yourself a 20-30 minute break as you relax and connect with nature at the Keay Center.

Address

Hibbard Road and Skokie Blvd., Wilmette, Illinois, United States.

Current local date and time now

Thursday, May 09, 2024, 20:32

User Ratings

4.0 based on (14 reviews)

Excellent
43%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%

Reviews

  • 5illinois travelere 5:00 PM May 5, 2020
    wonderful photo ops
    This nature learning center features about one-half mile of six-foot-wide paths and nature trails, a shallow pond, a rustic wooden foot bridge, and a man-made waterfall. There are three laminated trail guides at the entrance. I always have disinfecting wipes with me these days, so I was able to clean my guide before and after I used it. It is meant to be carried with you and covers the wide variety of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and native Illinois grasses found at the center. Most of the trees are labeled with species, date and dedication, if any. There are also bicycle racks, bird feeders (filled with suet and seed from fall till late spring), viewing areas and photo blinds. The small parking lot has eleven spaces and two handicapped spaces -- a high percentage because the center was built to accommodate the special needs of the disabled. On this visit I chatted with a working landscape painter who comes to Keay five or six times a year to capture the changing seasons. I also saw young families, a strolling elderly couple, and helmeted kids on scooters enjoying the center. It truly has something for everyone. See my earlier review (June, 2014) for more details.
  • 3Roberta M 5:00 PM Aug 21, 2016
    Small neighborhood park with a pond and waterfall
    A nice path to explore nature with young children or the family dog. Not much wildlife. There are a variety of trees and wild flowers.

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