When I was in grade school I went to camp at Emily Park (which is now known as Emily Oaks Nature Center). I have so many found memories of my time here. One includes learning to row a boat, or shoot an arrow with a bow. I also learned the words to the song both sides now when I was around 7 or 8. We were always told not to go swimming in the lagoon since it was packed with leaches.
Emily Park also had one of those secret paths only kids who grew up in Skokie knew about. We would cut over the train tracks to go to Oakton Bowl or Oakton Park.
I'm so amazed at how different this park is now. It used to be an open field with three campfire rings. Now it's like a jungle. The wildlife is unreal. It's hard to believe this is the same park that I wandered in back in the 1960s and 70s.
Emily Oaks Nature Center
for Betty, peace and love
Cycling the Skokie Lagoon Trail, Video 17
Willowbrook Wildlife Center - Martinez
class project for COD
Illinois Paddles/Carroll Creek
Carroll Creek is one of the true gems of Illinois paddling. It has the most spectacular scenery of any river in the state. Unfortunately it can only be paddled a few times each year when there is enough water. Camp Benson which owns much of the land around the old mine/cave has asked that no one land on their property without specific permission Please respect their request