Horner Park Natural Area
Featuring over a half-mile of trails along the Chicago River, The Horner Park Natural Area is 13 acres of restored prairie land and oak savanna that provides a calming oasis in the center of a bustling city with an abundance of native wildlife, butterflies, and migrating birds.
The Horner Park Natural Area extends for over one half mile along the western shore of the Chicago River from Irving Park Rd. north to Montrose Ave. Providing direct boating and fishing access to the river, a network of trails meander through 13 acres of restored prairie land and an oak savanna. The restoration is the culmination of a partnership between the Chicago Park District and the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) to stabilize the river bank and provide greater public access to the river for recreational purposes. The $6.4 Million project was completed in 2018 and included over ten thousand native plants and trees.
Ongoing maintenance is provided by the park district and volunteer efforts by the Horner Park Advisory Council (HPAC) and Friends of the Chicago River. After devastating storms and flooding damaged the riverfront trails this summer, HPAC requested and received capital funds from the park district to rebuild and improve the trail network. Work was completed in December 2023 with the rebuilt trails looking exceptional and ready again for patron use.
The trails are open 365 days a year from 6AM to 11PM but are not illuminated after dark. Check them out; they’re one of Chicago’s best kept secrets and you won’t be disappointed.
What’s New with the Natural Area
