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Little Calumet River Day
Experience the beauty of the Little Calumet River by joining Openlands and partners for a river clean-up and/or paddling lessons & lunch!
Date and time
Location
Kickapoo Woods
14505 S Halsted St Riverdale, IL 60827About this event
Experience the beauty of the Little Calumet River by joining Openlands and partners on Saturday, June 1st, 2024 from 8 am - 2:00 pm for a day of cleaning up the river and/or learning to canoe/kayak, followed by lunch provided at Kickapoo Woods. Spaces in canoes and kayaks are limited and registration is first come first served for those who are not bringing their own boats. If you are not bringing your own boat, we will follow up with an email letting you know if your registration is confirmed or if you are on the waiting list.
Please select your tickets carefully as there are three activities to choose between. Ticketing options also include whether you would like to bring your own boat or use our boats.
- 8:00 am - 8:50 am Early bird birding at Kickapoo Woods (optional pre-paddle activity)
- 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Kayak lessons at Kickapoo Woods (best for beginners ages 10 and up)
- 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Clean up in canoes at Kickapoo Woods (best for intermediate and advanced) I will bring my own boat.
- 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Clean up in canoes at Kickapoo Woods (best for beginners, children with their parents, and intermediates) I will use your boat.
Furthermore, this year’s clean-up is in partnership with Black Birders Week (BBW). BBW is a week-long series of online events aimed at highlighting Black nature enthusiasts and increasing the visibility of Black birders. The fifth annual Black Birders Week will occur from May 26 to June 1, 2024. Black Birders Week is planned, coordinated, and implemented by the BlackAFinSTEM Collective.
The Little Calumet River Day is brought to you by: Forest Preserves of Cook County, Friends of the Chicago River, Chicago Adventure Therapy, Illinois Paddling Council, and Openlands.
Frequently asked questions
Entrance to Kickapoo Woods on the west side of Halsted, just south of 144th Street. If taken from the I-57 exit on 127th (Burr Oak Ave, drive east to Halsted and then turn South onto Halsted and drive approximately 1.5 miles to the entrance to Kickapoo Woods and turn west into the parking lot.
Be sure to check for the weather and dress accordingly. However, plan to wear non-cotton/water-resistant clothing that keeps you warm if wet. Kickapoo Woods is muddy, so please wear close-toe shoes that protect your feet from mud.
Bring a hat, sunscreen, bug repellent, and a refillable water bottle. If you don't plan to leave personal items on land, a dry bag to store your phone and other essentials (such as purses, car keys, and wallets).
There are different Eventbrite ticket types for this event. You can choose to register online for the early bird bird watch event and the kayak lesson or canoe clean-up activity. Since the kayak lesson and the canoe clean-up run concurrently, you cannot choose both.
All equipment will be provided for those who sign up for a spot in our boats, including boats, life vests and paddles. Garbage bags and trash pickers will be provided for those who sign up for the for the clean up.