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Press Release - Thursday, June 05, 2025
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Celebrate the outdoors at the Everyone Belongs Nature Festival June 14 at William Powers State Recreation Area in Chicago
SPRINGFIELD - Families are invited to enjoy free fishing, flag football, archery, kayaking, guided hikes, yoga, music, food, educational exhibits, wildlife demonstrations and more at the Everyone Belongs Nature Festival on Saturday, June 14 at William W. Powers State Recreation Area in Chicago.
The festival, hosted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), will take place between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the park, located at 12949 S. Ave. O. The first 300 visitors will receive a free flying disc.
One of the day's highlights is a youth fishing derby, made possible by the Hegewisch Veterans Memorial and IDNR's urban fishing program, which offers free equipment, bait, and hands-on instruction to young participants.
New this year, the NFL Alumni Chicago Chapter will host flag football games and activities for families and youth, bringing the excitement of sport into the heart of nature.
"The Everyone Belongs Nature Festival is a vibrant gathering that celebrates the connection between people and nature, particularly in communities that have long faced access barriers to outdoor activities," said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. "Held during Illinois' free fishing weekend, it's also an opportunity for families to explore angling without the need for a fishing license or prior experience."
Designed in collaboration with residents, labor unions, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies, the festival features a diverse range of outdoor activities including canoeing, archery, yoga, guided hikes, and live wildlife demonstrations.
Go online to view last year's highlights and to register for this year's event.
William W. Powers State Recreation Area, located on Wolf Lake on Chicago's far southeast side at the Illinois-Indiana state line, offers opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy nature in the city for residents and visitors. Outdoor recreation opportunities at the park include fishing, boating, hunting, picnicking and winter sports.
About IDNR
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is celebrating 100 years of conservation and service to the people of Illinois throughout 2025. The department was established July 1, 1925, as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes.
Today, IDNR's work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov for more information.
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