The bridge rebuild is anticipated to be completed this fall or winter and we look forward to seeing everyone on the trails by this spring.

The Friends of Thorn Creek Woods Board of Directors has been and continues to be overwhelmed by the amount of support the Friends community has given us in our endeavor to rebuild the hiking bridge. Early overall cost estimates were stunning and the Friends share of that amount weighed heavily upon us. Yet here we are having raised the necessary funds without having to dip into our Capital Fund. We are SO appreciative of you generous donations and are grateful to have each and every one of you as a Friend!!

In February 2025, we established the Bridge Fund and, boy, did you respond! We are extremely proud to announce that as of June 30, 2026 – the end of the last fiscal year – individual contributions to the Fund totaled $14,624. Please note that no corporate donations were solicited or received.

Next, we decided to try a new type of fundraiser for Friends – a raffle with monetary prizes. Once again, the Friends community delivered by purchasing 439 tickets. As drawn by the July 18, 2026 Evening Illinois Lottery Pick 3, the first place prize number was 498. When all was said and done, the Bridge Raffle raised $8,780.

So … the Friends work toward rebuilding the hiking bridge is done! The Board is in the process of transferring your monies to the Management Commission where it will be pooled with those from the Village of Park Forest and the Will County Forest Preserve District. The rebuild is anticipated to be completed this fall or winter and we look forward to seeing everyone on the trails by this spring.

And once again – we cannot say it enough – Thank You for you support, your generosity, and for being an AMAZING group of Friends!!!

Click here to become a member of Friends of Thorn Creek Woods.  And as always you can contact Friends to donate by mail at P.O. Box 32, Richton Park, IL 60471. For other ways to help see the options in the “Donate” tab underneath the photo at the top of this page.

The Nature Center is open to the public on Fridays from noon to 4 p.m.

There are signs and maps at the trail head kiosk, in the Nature Center and on the trails, alerting hikers to the areas that are now closed in the preserve.

Woodland Trail, Owl Lake Trail, and Wetland Trail are closed — due to the bridge being out.

• The half-mile Nature Center Loop Trail remains open to the public.
• Our scheduled naturalist-led programs will be available.

For more information or to register for programs, contact Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Rd, Park Forest, 708-747-6320, or by email at thorn_creek@att.net.