i grew up in chicagoland and would drive past beaubien for decades and think that it couldn’t be that nice since one doesn’t think of «woods» and«wilderness» when they think of chicago. but it’s actually a wild sanctuary in this city, where many native plants and animals thrive(and grow healthier by the day thanks to the work of volunteer habitat restorers). i have seen some great birds here, including indigo bunting, baltimore oriole, and bald eagles. there are several different ecosystem types, from flatfoot lake, to the prairies on the north and south ends, the woods in between and the little calumet river on the west side. it’s definitely quality nature in an urban setting.
Edward W.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Chicago, IL
Beaubien is a classic case of a gorgeous site in a less so area. It is a bit of a maze trying to get there, but once you do, it’s totally worth it. It makes for a stark contrast when you jump out of your car, with a massive landfill on one side of the highway from you and a prairie full of wildflowers on the other. There aren’t many trails but the few there are, wind through some very nice and high quality habitat. It doesn’t take much time at all for the sound of nearby traffic to disappear as you wander into the preserve. I highly recommend a visit here, especially on a day when the volunteers are working as they’re some of the nicest people you will meet and really knowledgeable.
Christian K.
Évaluation du lieu : 1 Griffith, IN
Beaubien Forest Preserve… It’s using ‘Forest Preserve’ in the LOOSEST of terms. It’s got some wooded areas, a lake and a reasonable facsimile of what is considered a trail. Unfortunately… they’re ALL completely littered in, well… in litter. It seemed like every few steps we took there was some form of trash underfoot. Get out in the parking lot, garbage. Walk through a small field towards the trail… garbage. We’d look at the lake… floating garbage. Get to the trail… garbage here, garbage there, garbage everywhere. I mean, it’s nice that the state or county wants wooded areas n stuff, awesome! Yay! But, for those people that come, fish, walk or whatever to go and leave their crap just laying around or throw it in the woods/lake… so sad. I think what really made this a one star for me is that we had the munchkin with and we were more worried about her falling and hurting herself on the trash then we were of her tripping over rocks n stuff. When you gotta tell your kid ‘Don’t go there, there’s broken glass’ on a regular basis while walking on a trail in what they call a ‘Preserve’ it’s kind of a deal breaker for ever going back. Sorry Beaubien Waste Management Preserve, I don’t think this is gonna work out.
