Located along the Des Plaines River Trail, Schiller Woods is home to a diverse array of natural habitats including wooded areas, remnant prairie, sedge meadow and wetland. With wide-open spaces and a pond, visitors can enjoy easy access to outdoor activities such as picnicking, fishing, kite flying and more.

On this page:

• Locations & Things to Do
• Trails
• Fishing at Schiller Pond
• Serpent Twin Mound
• Nature Notes
• Volunteer Opportunities

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Locations & Things to Do

Schiller Woods includes multiple locations:

• Schiller Woods-East
• Schiller Woods-West
• Schiller Woods-South
• Che Che Pin Qua Woods
• Schiller Model Airplane Flying Field
• Schiller Playfield

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Trails

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Fishing at Schiller Pond

This small, 6-acre pond has a maximum depth of 6.3 feet. Seven bump-outs are located around the pond to improve access to deeper water.

• Fishing Map (PDF)
• Population Survey (PDF)

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Fishing Access

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Serpent Twin Mound

The Serpent Twin Mound (Pokto Činto) is a contemporary earthwork by Indigenous artist and architect, Santiago X. This monument reflects the ancestral tradition of mound building and serves to educate the public about the rich cultural history of Indigenous placemaking here in Illinois and beyond. The serpent surrounds us as it weaves in and out of the earth and water, reminding us of our reciprocal human connection to the river and to the land. 

The mound site at Schiller Woods-West is at the western end of the 4000N Trail, a new walking museum connecting the Des Plaines River and the North Branch of the Chicago River with artist activated sites, local organizations and histories of local communities along Irving Park Road. The 4000N Trail is created in partnership with the American Indian Center, Chicago Public Art Group and Portage Park Neighborhood Association with funds from the Searle Funds through Chicago Community Trust. 

The Serpent Twin Mound was dedicated in a ceremony on Indigenous Peoples Day in 2019, which included the inaugural reading of the Forest Preserves of Cook County Land Acknowledgement.

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Nature Notes

Along the forested trails west of the playing fields and south of Irving Park Road, hikers can spot deer families (including bucks with impressive antlers), great horned owls, winter wrens, American tree sparrows, brown creepers, black-capped chickadees and Cooper’s hawks.

Along East River Road, Schiller Woods also contains a pocket of remnant prairie, sedge meadow, and wetland harboring a colorful variety of plants and insects, including some uncommon plant species. The Unpaved Brown Trail on the Des Plaines River Trail System accesses this beautiful area and its wildlife. Visitors are welcome, but please don’t pick the wildflowers.

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Volunteer Opportunities

Stewards from the Des Plaines River Valley Restoration Project host monthly volunteer workdays here to benefit the plants and animals.