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A Chicago Public Library branch joins the Park District for a free, hour-long family program at a park where habitat restoration and outdoor recreation share the landscape. The follow-up activity is not specified in advance.
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM local time. The listing describes a 30-minute story time followed by a 30-minute activity.
Big Marsh Park’s nature story time takes place in a landscape that has changed from an industrial dumping site into a public park with wetlands, habitat and recreation areas. Animal Tales links that setting to a short program for youth and families, with a nature-inspired story followed by an activity whose format may vary.
Big Marsh is in South Deering, within the area known as the Calumet Area Reserve. Industrial operations used the site for waste and slag dumping from the late 19th century. The City of Chicago and Chicago Park District began restoration work in the early 2000s; the Park District acquired the land in 2011, and the park opened to the public in 2016.
That history gives a nature-focused gathering a specific local setting. Big Marsh is an approximately 300-acre park whose plans combine recreation with efforts to protect or improve habitat, including wetlands and plant and animal life.
Further reading: Big Marsh Park ↗
After the story time, the listed possibilities range from meeting an animal to going on a nature hike or exploring loose parts and sensory stations. These are examples, not a confirmed plan for this date, so families should not count on a particular animal encounter or outdoor activity.
The range matters in a park with both active and quieter uses. About 45 acres are developed for eco-recreation, including BMX courses, pump tracks and paved bike trails; other areas support birding and nature observation. Families can make a longer visit around the program, but the event listing does not specify an activity route or meeting point within the park.
Further reading: Animal Tales at Big Marsh | Chicago Park District ↗ · Big Marsh Park ↗
The Chicago Park District labels the program Early Childhood, while its description says it is open to all youth and families. No narrower age cutoff is given. The Chicago Public Library’s Vodak-East Side Branch is the named program partner.
Further reading: Animal Tales at Big Marsh | Chicago Park District ↗
The announced format is 30 minutes of nature-inspired story time followed by a 30-minute activity. Possible activities include meeting an animal, taking a nature hike, or exploring loose parts and sensory stations; the listing does not confirm which option will take place.
The program runs from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The listing describes a 30-minute story time followed directly by a 30-minute activity.
Admission is listed as $0. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
The Park District’s age-range label is Early Childhood, but the description welcomes all youth and families and does not state a stricter age limit.
The event address is 11559 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago, IL 60617. The event listing does not identify a more precise meeting point within the park.
Big Marsh Park is open daily from dawn to dusk. The event listing suggests arriving early or staying afterward to explore the Natural Area and Bike Park.
Animal Tales at Big Marsh | Chicago Park District ↗ · Big Marsh Park ↗
The event destination is Big Marsh Park, 11559 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago, IL 60617. The event listing does not identify the exact meeting point within the park.
The Park District profile notes a parking lot in the park’s northwest section, but the event listing gives no event-specific parking instructions or availability. No transit route or event entrance detail is provided. Use the map links to calculate directions from your own starting point.
Animal Tales at Big Marsh | Chicago Park District ↗ · Big Marsh Park ↗
Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
The listing gives possibilities—an animal encounter, nature hike, or loose-parts and sensory stations—but does not confirm the activity for this date.
The age-range label is Early Childhood, but the event description welcomes all youth and families and states no narrower cutoff.
The event listing names Big Marsh Park and its address but does not give a more precise meeting point.
11559 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago, IL 60617
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-11-04 against the linked sources.