I hate giving this preserve just 2 stars, BUT.....did not have a great experience. I visited in August 2020 and the nature center was closed due to COVID, but the trails were open. Fine with me - Im there for the trails!First thing I noticed was the algea in the lakes. Hmmmm. Then tried the first trail around the lakes and came to Trail closed signs....no reason given. OK, then I tried the longer Eastern loops across Brookside road. These trails were in awful shape chewed up by some heavy tracked machinery! The entire trail was like this.No wonder there were no other people in the preserve, and no cars in the nature center lot at 10:00 AM on a beautiful summer morning. Disappointing.

Very nice, good place to take your family. Learned about all kinds of things. Definitely going to go back sometime and learn some more when they have other classes. Dont miss your opportunity to visit there.

Very friendly people, nature center has a large room for kids to play and learn in, the nature center is only open on Friday and Saturday. We did a guided nature walk on a Saturday, it was informative and relaxing. We saw birds, turtles, and a frog. The trails are easy to walk and they are open every day dawn to dusk.

This is a great place to enjoy nature. Many activities for kids inside also. Fishing is allowed as well. Marshland area with beautiful plant life and a great spot for birdwatching. There is also a shorter path for handicapped people, which I was delighted to find!Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!

The naturalists here are very passionate about what they do and it shows in the programs they lead. Last I was there we took an evening hike and were able to call in an owl. It was really cool!

I love the Hawthorn Nutrition Center. I wish there were more people there. You need to keep up with it know whats going on. I miss a lot of their events. They dont do enough advertising. Otherwise I would have given them five stars.

Very serine a place you can just enjoy

Pretty, nice trails, so much Duck Weed! Not great for fishing.

I love the Nature Center. I wish there was more people working there. Please come to the Nature Center. Its beautiful. It has wonderful paths. Theres a lot of wonderful things going on there. Its awesome for children. I know this because I dont live far from it.

Nice and quiet. Pretty. Easy to walk. Unique aspects such as the bridge. The information posts. And has benches along the way to sit.

Nice nature center with plenty of learning opportunities for kids & adults.

Nice place to celebrate birthdays

Great trails for walking. Saw some frogs and turtles by the ponds!

Great place. Love having my grandmother daughters Birthday party there.

Nice little nature retreat in Elgin

My granddaughter has her 1st. Birthday Party there. I enjoyed myself as well as the Staff was very helpful.

Very nice place

67 acres. Alittle small. But lots of birds. And there was a sneaky cat bird watching. LOL!

Great places for a hike- don’t forget the big repellent

Great place to visit!

Its was nice

Fun place for children to learn about nature. Very friendly and helpful staff!

Very nice people (Volunteers), they allow weddings, birthdays, and all those type events for a very reasonable cost, with a great atmosphere.

Beautiful hidden gem, so many things to see. The bridge was closed off today with caution tape. Not sure when it will be open again.

Nice place to be when you feel like you need a little change....

If you like a good walk come and see this nature center

Good place to take small kids and acquaint with nature. Has small trails to take the kids on walks around a big pond

This is a nice place to see birds and nature. Who knew?

Built benches for Conners eagle project

Love volunteering here

Great work on the paths and bridges

Great place for walking

Love the place, good outdoor activities

Lovely little place, friendly staff

Great place to visit

Trails were nice, as well as the lake

Bring mosquito repellent!

Beautiful

Earth Day is amazing!!

Great place

Nature trails are beautiful!

Amazing place for a nice hike