Peck Farm- Hawk's Hollow- Butterfly Garden

Peck Farm (4038 Kaneville Road Geneva, Il 60134), is another one of our favorite places to go when we're looking for some outdoor activities that can't be done in our backyard. Peck Farm also contains one of our favorite playgrounds- Hawk's Hollow and a beautiful Butterfly Garden.  If you live in the area and haven't been yet, this is a must!  And it's definitely worth the drive if you live further away. Bring a picnic lunch and sprawl out on the shady lawn of the Interpretive Center or eat under the picnic shelter.  Check their websites or the Geneva Park District's Programs webpage  for interpretive programs too! There is always something going on!

Peck Farm

Peck Farm has an interpretive center, nature and bike trails (both paved and unpaved), a sensory garden, a picnic shelter/amphitheater, a silo and a barn.  When Weston was a baby I used to love taking long walks around the lake while he slept. On the south side of the lake there is a wonderful overlook where you can sit and reax and watch the wetland wildlife (or catch a few Z's)!

Check their website for hours of operation as they change with the seasons.

Photo Cred: Geneva Il Website

Hawk's Hollow 

Hawk's Hollow located just
northeast of the Peck Farm Interpretive Center is a great play area for kids that has nature based musical instruments, a slide, a few rope climbs, a pulley system, a little maze, a splash pad, a 'river' play area, and a few 'nests' for kids to play in and learn about wetlands, birds, and nature in general.

Open 7 days a week. Sunrise to Sunset.

Weston and his cousins hada blast jumping around on this maze.

They also had a blast jumping around this stream and piling up the rocks to make a dam.

Splash Pad!

Butterfly House

The  Butterfly House is such a beautiful place.  There are soooo many butterflies and the kids just love watching them fly around.  Upon entrance, a volunteer tells you a few interesting facts about butterflies (Did you know most butterflies only live a few days!?), and goes over a few rules (no touching, no walking on the rocks, etc.) and then you're free to roam. You can view the butterflies in their crysalis and more often that not, you can watch them emerge as well!  A little whiteboard tells you which butterflies are flying around that day and an interpretive guide helps you identify which ones you see.  It's a little small, but it allows you to get an up close view of all the gorgeous butterflies. It's free, although there is a $2 suggested donation.

Open through September 19
Monday - Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday: Noon- 5pm

It's so much fun to watch the kids learn without even knowing it! And everytime we go I even learn a little something new!

 Now stop reading and get outside and explore!