Location
901 31st Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Start at the William F. Sherman, Jr. Interpretive Center. Phone: 630-963-9388.
Places to Explore • Illinois
Woodland flowers, quiet wetlands and wildlife through the seasons.
A green boardwalk, a heron carrying a fish, a spotted fawn among the leaves: there is plenty to notice here when you take your time. This collection follows Lyman Woods through spring flowers, leafy summer walks, autumn color and snow.
A landscape worth protecting
The Park District describes a 150-acre preserve of woodland, prairie and marsh, including three kames—gravel hills deposited by glaciers. A 19-acre oak grove has remained undisturbed since the Lyman family acquired it in 1839.
Community preservation began in 1987. A 1996 referendum protecting additional land passed by just 12 votes. The interpretive center’s planted prairie roof adds another way to see conservation in practice.
The photographs offer different ways to explore the same place. Wild Hyacinth brightens the woodland floor; a boardwalk leads into summer greenery; fallen leaves frame a narrow stream; and snow makes animal tracks easier to notice.
Spend a little time looking along the water and up into the trees. The bird gallery includes ducks, a grebe, hawks and woodpeckers. The mammal gallery brings together deer, squirrels, a chipmunk and a Striped Skunk.
Plan your visit
901 31st Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Start at the William F. Sherman, Jr. Interpretive Center. Phone: 630-963-9388.
Trails: one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset daily. Center: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, with holiday closures. Check the official page for updates.
The official map marks four routes from 0.19 to 0.98 miles, bridges, and paved or crushed-stone sections. Bring the map and choose a route suited to your visit.
Dogs, bicycles and cross-country skis are prohibited; service dogs are excepted. Restrooms and drinking fountains are inside the center.
Watch your footing on wet paths and snowy surfaces. Stay on the trails, leave flowers in place and give wildlife room to move.
Photographs by Brian Woolman
Browse by subject below. Open any photograph for the slideshow, and use “Load more” to reveal the rest of each gallery. These are moments from Brian’s visits; wildlife and flowers vary with the season.
Downers Grove Park District: Lyman Woods Nature Center & Preserve · Official Lyman Woods trail map
Use the Park District’s visitor page for current hours, closures and programs.
Official Visitor Information Official Trail Map ← Back to Places to Explore
