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Press Release: Forest Preserves of Cook County Celebrates New Recreational Amenities at Beaubien Woods on Chicago’s South Side

October 28, 2025/
people about to cut into a ribbon with a large pair of scissors
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joins Forest Preserves General Superintendent Adam Bianchi, staff and partners at Beaubien Woods to celebrate new amenities that improve recreation and access to the Little Calumet River.

Fishing boardwalk, program shelter, accessible canoe/kayak launch highlight upgrades

The Forest Preserves of Cook County celebrated at Beaubien Woods with a ribbon cutting for nearly $2 million in new and improved amenities that enhance recreation and access to nature along the Little Calumet River. The project includes a new accessible canoe and kayak launch, seating along the river, program shelter and interpretive signage, as well as an improved fishing boardwalk. These features build upon years of habitat restoration, improved amenities and community collaboration at Beaubien Woods by the Forest Preserves, with more to come.

“Beaubien Woods is a place where community, culture and nature come together,” said Forest Preserves of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle at the ribbon cutting. “With these new amenities, visitors of all ages and abilities can fish, paddle, picnic and enjoy programs that celebrate this site’s natural beauty and deep history. These investments create more equitable access to outdoor recreation on Chicago’s South Side.”

Located at the southern edge of Chicago, Beaubien Woods is a 279-acre preserve featuring diverse habitats including prairie, wetlands and woodlands. Supported by an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant and Boating Access Area Development (BAAD) grant, the project enhances visitors’ ability to enjoy these natural features while learning about the area’s rich cultural and environmental history.

The upgraded fishing boardwalk gives ample space for people to fish along the Little Calumet River.

Because of these improvements, visitors can cast a line into the Little Calumet River, launch a canoe or kayak onto the African American Heritage Water Trail, attend educational programs beneath the new shelter, or simply relax and watch wildlife along the restored shoreline. The development was made with accessibility in mind for people with disabilities, including a state-of-the-art accessible canoe and kayak launch apparatus that is one of only four in the state.

The improvements were guided by priorities identified during a 2018 community planning workshop for the Forest Preserves, which focused on health, wellness and access to outdoor spaces for nearby communities such as Altgeld Gardens. “This project is the result of years of strong partnerships and community vision through our Better Beaubien initiative,” said Adam Bianchi, General Superintendent of the Forest Preserves. “Our partners have helped make Beaubien Woods a model for how collaboration can restore land, expand recreation and strengthen communities.”

Bill Bogdan, Disability Liaison at the Secretary of State’s office, demonstrates how to use new accessible kayak and canoe launch at Beaubien Woods.

Efforts have restored more than 20 acres of coastal wetland habitat, built the Prairie Boat Gathering Space public art installation, planted dozens of trees throughout the preserve, developed a long-term vision and action plan for the site, and launched Youth Outdoor Ambassador and stewardship programs that continue to engage residents in conservation today. Partners include 20 local groups like People for Community Recovery and Riverdale Community Land Trust, and citywide organizations like Openlands, the Field Museum, Friends of the Forest Preserves and Friends of the Chicago River.

Donisha Reed, the director for population & community health programs for local healthcare provider TCA Health and Deloris Lucas, who founded the community biking program We Keep You Rollin’, both spoke at the ribbon cutting in addition to President Preckwinkle and General Superintendent Bianchi.

Even as these improvements are celebrated, additional investments are on the way. Construction is planned for a new trail connection linking Beaubien Woods to nearby Altgeld Gardens, along with a new restroom building and drinking fountain. These upcoming enhancements, expected to begin in 2026, will further improve accessibility and comfort for visitors while supporting continued programming at Beaubien such as guided tours that highlight local sites on the Underground Railroad, youth jobs programs, volunteer restoration days and community events.

The new program shelter allows the Forest Preserves and other organizations to host educational programming at Beaubien Woods.

In addition, the Forest Preserves and partners including Openlands, People for Community Recovery and the Field Museum will expand native plantings, community events and river access connections that build on this recent infrastructure through a $400,000 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chi-Cal Rivers Fund grant. The project, which will be implemented in 2026, will deepen community connections to Beaubien Woods and the Little Calumet River while strengthening ecological corridors that link the preserve to nearby neighborhoods.

This work could not have been made possible without these Forest Preserves partners: TCA Health, We Keep You Rollin’, Chicago Housing Authority advisory board, People for Community Recovery, Carver Park, Carver Military High School, Aldridge Elementary School, Altgeld Library, People for Community Recovery, Riverdale Land Trust, Calumet Collaborative, Trust for Public Land, Wayfinding, artist Christine Perri, Imani Village and Midwest Underground Railroad Network.

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About the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Don’t you sometimes just want to escape? Explore the natural beauty of Cook County for an hour, a day or even a night. When you’re surrounded by 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful there’s no better place to feel free.