The much-anticipated reopening of Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook will take place during an Oak-tacular Comeback Celebration on Saturday, May 3.

The free, all-ages festivities are scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. 

The nature center and an adjacent section of Hidden Oaks Preserve were closed since February 2024 for a $2 million renovation project designed to make the site a hub for Forest Preserve education and exploration in northern Will County and beyond. 

“The grand reopening will celebrate the conclusion to months of hard work and will give members of the public their first look at all the improvements,” said facility supervisor Angie Trobaugh. 

There will be live music, free hotdogs and s’mores over an open fire. Food and beverage purchases can be made from Mr. Salty Carnival Food and Tapville Social beers.

“Chainsaw artist Myles Nasby will be carving an art piece for the nature center, and kids can interact with our bubble entertainer or get free henna, face painting or temporary tattoos,” Trobaugh said. “We will have our local bee vendor onsite with an observation hive as well as birds of prey from Stillman Nature Center. And don’t forget to climb our oaks with Camp Manitoqua! As always, we have something for everyone, so don’t miss out.”

Forest Preserve employees will host a touch-a-truck activity, and many of the staff who make the preserves great will be in attendance to rev up the celebration with crafts and more, Trobaugh added.

“It’s part of the reason we invited District staff to the event to take part,” she said. “Just about everyone within the District, every department, had their hand in the renovations in one way or another. The event is a chance for the community to meet the Forest Preserve family and be invited back to their local nature center. And it is certainly a cause for celebration, so the event will have a party feel to it.”

Attendees also will be able to tour the new building to see the new entrance area, gift shop, exhibits and hands-on activities. 

Renovation Reveal

Many of the new exhibits feature an oak theme, including the journey of an acorn and an acorn dress-up station, a bench that mimics a decaying log and a wall panel that explains tree communication. Because the nature center is called Hidden Oaks, the oak theme is an important component, Trobaugh said. 

A special "Becorns: Little Acorn People Leading Big Lives" exhibit will open for a two-month run during the Oak-tacular celebration.

Other enhancements include:

• Permanent exhibits focused on fungi, snakes and salamanders, exploration, seasonal interactions, and an oak leaf book nook. 
• Welcome signs in several different languages. 
• Conversion of the south existing classroom into an exhibit gallery.
• Replacement of the children’s bathroom with a program staging area.
• Updated rental space for the public featuring new paint, carpet, cabinets, doors, lighting and a wet bar. 
• A new shade pergola.
• An elaborate indoor birdwatching lookout deck. 

Maxine and crew

The nature center’s resident animals have new quarters. 

“Rex and Cera, our box turtles, will be housed with Maxine our red-footed tortoise as usual,” Trobaugh said. “Their enclosure will include a little tunnel that they can crawl through and be separated if needed. Creed, our beloved snapper, and Paddlefoot, our red eared slider, will be separated and have their own aquatic oases.”

Ramen, the corn snake, will have a tall enclosure in the Fungi Corner exhibit. 

“And as you continue to immerse yourself in the exhibit, you will find Ghillie, our tiger salamander, incorporated into the exhibit as well,” Trobaugh said.

But make no mistake, Maxine, who often plays to an audience with doe-eyed reactions, is the star of the show. 

“Just looking at her face will warm your heart and soul,” said program coordinator Suzy Lyttle. “And when you give her a scratch, she will shake her whole shell.”