Outdoors

The Forest Preserve District of Will County's Hadley Valley Preserve Trail is now open for public use and provides a picnic area and 3.5 miles of the Spring Creek Greenway Trail.

This limestone-screening trail is open to recreational use, including hiking, running, biking and equestrian use. No motorized use of any forest preserve trail is allowed.

The trail is comprised of a 2.5-mile loop between Farrell and Gougar roads, and a 1-mile linear trail runs from Gougar Road to the Interstate 355 overpass. A future extension to Bruce Road is planned.

Trail users can park and access the trail at two locations. The Gougar Road access, about half a mile north of Route 6 in New Lenox, provides parking for horse trailers and vehicles, a bathroom and picnic pavilion, which will be available for rental in summer 2010.

The Route 6 access, located half a mile west of Gougar Road, offers parking for 19 cars.

The forest preserve district is looking for volunteers to help monitor the new trail. People who use the trail regularly are encouraged to call the district's volunteer coordinator at 815-722-7364.

For information on the Hadley Valley Preserve or the Spring Creek Greenway Trail, call 815-727-8700.

"Pages from the Past," an American history book-discussion program sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Will County, will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville.

The program, for people age 16 and up, is free.

The book selection for the program is "No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book that Made Vaudeville Famous" by Trav S. D. Although critics in the early 20th century lambasted vaudeville, author Trav S. D. points out that for 50 years vaudeville "was the heart of American show business."

Participants should read the selection beforehand and bring a copy of the book to the program. Participants will choose future book selections. Refreshments will be served.

Isle a la Cache Museum is at 501 E. 135th St. in Romeoville

For more information, call 815-886-1467.

"Native American Scout Day," a free program for Scouts ages 6-12, will be from noon-3 p.m. Nov. 7 at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville. Registration is required.

Scouts are invited to join in a program focusing on Native American heritage and the lore of the Potawatomi Indians. Discover how this tribe lived in the wilderness of Illinois, explore houses they lived in, learn to play Native American games and listen to stories that incorporate Native American languages.

Part of this program will be outside.

Isle a la Cache Museum is at 501 E. 135th St. in Romeoville.

For information and registration, call 815-886-1467.

"Getting Ready for Winter," a free family program sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Will County, will be at 1 p.m. Nov. 8 at Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher. Registration is required.

Plants and animals alike make preparations to survive the cold weather and limited daylight that winter brings. Join in a hike through Goodenow Grove to discover the stories of Will County's plants and animals in their quest for winter refuge. Hike the trails of the creeks, prairies and woodlands and return to a crackling fire and hot cocoa in the Nature Center.

The hike may be up to 1 mile over uneven terrain.

Plum Creek Nature Center is in Goodenow Grove Forest Preserve, 1 mile east of the intersection of Routes 1 and 394 on Goodenow Road in Crete Township.

For information and registration, call 708-946-2216.