West Ridge Nature Park is a 24-acre natural area developed on land the City bought from Rosehill cemetery along Western Ave, just south of Peterson Ave. It opened in Sept. 2015. It has a 4.5-acre pond, woodlands, wetlands, prairie and savanna habitats. This will be a leisurely walk on paved paths. The distance is about 0.9 miles on a ‘figure 8’ loop with an exit possible at mid-walk. The walk will be led by Tom Murphy, who is a member of the Park Advisory Council for the Nature Preserve and is the site steward.

The mid-summer rains fueled exuberant growth of the many native plant species. There are a number of resident birds, and the fall migrants are passing through. Deer from the cemetery are regularly present. The sun should set toward the end of our walk.

Register no later than September 8.

The entrance to the NP is on Western Ave. at Ardmore Ave. The park address is 5801 N Western Avenue. Street parking available. The CTA #84 Peterson Ave bus from the Bryn Mawr Red Line station stops at Western Ave. and the #49B bus along Western Ave. stops at the Nature Park. Participants should follow city guidelines for COVID exposure. Insect repellant will be available, and there are outdoor facilities.

Search for @WestRidgeNaturePark on Facebook for more information about the park.