About
Galesburg Parks and Recreation Nature Programs include activities such as ice fishing, nature hikes, walks through the woods, and free play outdoors. Children and teens can talk about the equipment needed for ice fishing, learn what aquatic animals do when their lake is frozen, look for heart shapes in nature, gather supplies to make nature valentines, and take part in activities, games, reading time, and guided exploration.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Year-round nature programs with special events on select Saturdays and Fridays, plus an Outdoor Nature Preschool Spring Session from February 18 to May 20, 2026, meeting Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00–11:30 AM
• Price: Most nature programs are free or low-cost; specific examples include free ice rink use, free sled library borrowing, free Second Saturdays Ice Fishing and Nature Valentines programs, free Nature at Night: Follow the Drinking Gourd, and a $450 fee for the Outdoor Nature Preschool Spring Session
Galesburg Parks and Recreation's nature programs state a mission of inspiring a love and respect for nature in residents of all ages. The Outdoor Nature Preschool is described as a kindergarten readiness drop-off preschool program for children who want or need more outdoor time while building social-emotional development, and children in this program will be outdoors most of the time in conditions ranging from cold to hot temperatures, rain, and snow. Experienced teachers lead activities, games, reading time, and guided exploration, and parents are required to invest in proper outdoor gear for the Outdoor Nature Preschool, with a list of suggested items provided. For Second Saturdays: Ice Fishing, boots or shoes with great traction are required, and participants in Nature Valentines and Nature at Night: Follow the Drinking Gourd are asked to dress for outdoor adventures and walking through the woods. Most nature programs are free or low-cost thanks to funding from personal donations, and the program invites volunteers to help with new and current offerings. The ice rink is free to use, is not supervised, is skate at your own risk, does not provide skates, prohibits hockey play, and requires all users to be courteous of others. Sled Libraries allow free borrowing of sleds with a request to return them after use, and community members can donate sleds by leaving them in the box.
Last updated January 9, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Year-round nature programs with special events on select Saturdays and Fridays, plus an Outdoor Nature Preschool Spring Session from February 18 to May 20, 2026, meeting Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00–11:30 AM
• Price: Most nature programs are free or low-cost; specific examples include free ice rink use, free sled library borrowing, free Second Saturdays Ice Fishing and Nature Valentines programs, free Nature at Night: Follow the Drinking Gourd, and a $450 fee for the Outdoor Nature Preschool Spring Session
Galesburg Parks and Recreation's nature programs state a mission of inspiring a love and respect for nature in residents of all ages. The Outdoor Nature Preschool is described as a kindergarten readiness drop-off preschool program for children who want or need more outdoor time while building social-emotional development, and children in this program will be outdoors most of the time in conditions ranging from cold to hot temperatures, rain, and snow. Experienced teachers lead activities, games, reading time, and guided exploration, and parents are required to invest in proper outdoor gear for the Outdoor Nature Preschool, with a list of suggested items provided. For Second Saturdays: Ice Fishing, boots or shoes with great traction are required, and participants in Nature Valentines and Nature at Night: Follow the Drinking Gourd are asked to dress for outdoor adventures and walking through the woods. Most nature programs are free or low-cost thanks to funding from personal donations, and the program invites volunteers to help with new and current offerings. The ice rink is free to use, is not supervised, is skate at your own risk, does not provide skates, prohibits hockey play, and requires all users to be courteous of others. Sled Libraries allow free borrowing of sleds with a request to return them after use, and community members can donate sleds by leaving them in the box.
Last updated January 9, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.