Alerts
Careers Contact Us

Tawny Oaks Field Station

Phone: 309.418.7051

715 West Singing Woods Road
Edelstein, IL

Tawny Oaks is the newest environmental facility of the Peoria Park District. It is located next to Singing Woods, a 700 acre Illinois Nature Preserve. The property contains a prairie restoration, ½ mile of handicap accessible trail and 5 miles of rugged trails into Singing Woods Nature Preserve,  picnic area and visitor center with restrooms. Tawny Oaks is open seasonally and offers various workshops, educational walks, and bird watching events.

Pet Policy

As a dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve, dogs and other pets are not allowed at this facility or on the trails! With that designation from the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission, comes stricter rules about what can happen at these sites due to their rare and unique ecological value

Amenities

  • Classes
  • Field Trips
  • Trails / Hiking
  • Public Restrooms
  • Picnic Tables
  • Special Events

Visitor Center Hours:

Open Seasonally, May – early August

Wednesday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm

Sunday-Tuesday closed

Trails are open: Open year round; daily dawn to dusk

Pets are prohibited!

Some wheelchair accessible trails

Contact Forest Park Nature Center for more information on Tawny Oaks.

Many of our classes, programs and events require advanced online registration. When noted, please use the links below to register. Some require phone or e-mail reservations/inquiries.

*All classes and programs for Luthy Botanical Garden that require online registration, can be found here.

Tawny Oaks is located right next to Singing Woods Nature Preserve, a true gem of the Peoria Park District.

Did you know that you can get some cool swag while hiking on your favorite PPD parks and trails? Join our Hundred Mile Hiker Club and after completing 100 miles receive a special T-shirt, then register to receive an exclusive, fully embroidered Hundred Mile Hiker Patch at 250 miles. After completing 250 miles, you are eligible to register for 500 miles to receive a lapel pin. Registration fees are $15 and are payable at the Trailhead Nature Store at Forest Park Nature Center.

From time to time, you’ll find that this location undergoes a Prescribed Burn. Our PPD team has determined the following parks would benefit from controlled burns as means of preserving rare and endangered habitats:

  • Camp Wokanda
  • Detweiller Park
  • Donovan Park
  • Forest Park
  • Grand View Drive Park
  • Robinson Park
  • Singing Woods Nature Preserve
  • Springdale Savanna
  • Sommer Farm

The controlled application of fire, under specific weather conditions, to restore a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and resiliency, and reduce wildfire risk. The Burn Crew are trained fire experts, aware of fire behavior and control techniques, that follow nationally set standards to ensure the safety of the crew, nearby residents and private property. Learn more about the importance of this by clicking the button below.

Find something
new to explore

Register for Sports & Programs!

Register for Sports & Programs!

Explore our Cultural Festivals!

Explore our Cultural Festivals!

Find Your Next Event Location!

Find Your Next Event Location!

Hit the Trails!

Hit the Trails!

Join our Team!

Join our Team!