Alderfer-Oenslager Wildlife Sanctuary Loop

Alderfer/Oenslager Wildlife Sanctuary is the home of the park district's environmental education center. The area is named after the family that donated the original 103 acres to begin this site. The donation was made with the stipulation that the land be used for environmental education with an emphasis on programming for children. The park district acquired an additional 145 acres in 1999 to expand the area to 248 acres. A building housing classrooms, offices, and restrooms opened to the public in October of 2000. This facility provides space for park district nature programs that are conducted for school groups and the general public. A wide variety of habitats from mature forests to wetlands, meadows, and prairies offers students opportunities for nature study. The nature programs offer hands-on experiences in the study of the environment. The Wolf Creek Educational Wetlands, a project that recreated over four acres of this park's marsh ecosystem, has a boardwalk permitting visitors to travel "into" the wetland for study and wildlife viewing. A deep-water pond provides opportunities for pond study. An accessible path makes the building, wetlands, deep-water pond, and prairie areas available for people of all abilities. The center is open Tuesday - Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday. Since Wolf Creek is a wildlife sanctuary, they are seeking to minimize disturbance to the natural communities. For that reason, pets, fishing, and picnicking are not permitted.