The Vermillion County Conservation District hosted their Maple Syrup Festival in Forest Glen Preserve on March 17th. In preparation for the festival, 500 sugar maple trees were tapped to collect the sap that was cooked down into a very tasty maple syrup. Driving into the preserve, bright blue bags were easily visible hanging from the bare trees. These bags were used to collect the sap from the maple trees. We followed signs with maple leaves on them, which were very helpful in guiding us through a complicated series of left and right turns down a long road deep into the park.
When we arrived, we were directed to a parking area and then made our way into the main education center, where we wasted no time buying three baskets of French toast and sausages. The baskets were $6 each and included a generous portion of both plus a little cup of syrup directly from the preserve. The syrup was so good we bought a quart of it ($30). There was also complimentary hot chocolate, lemonade, and coffee.
After brunch, we made our way to the nature center. Inside there were many types of taxidermy like squirrels, owls, turkeys, beavers, otters and many, many more. There were pelts, bugs in resin, a table with magnifying glasses, a widow with binoculars and a handler with a live corn snake that you could pet. They also had a craft table which was a big hit with my kids.
The rest of the activities were all located at the top of a big hill that we hiked up to get to the top. The “sugar bush,” the tapping demonstration, and the Pioneer Homestead Cabin were all pretty self explanatory, but provided insight as to how the sap becomes syrup, how they tap the trees, and a look into the past. My kids got to use a drill to tap into a tree stump and in the cabin was a giant platter of maple cookies (plus the recipe). There was a ton of space to run and yell, drive imaginary carriages, and burn off some energy before I stuffed them back into the van to headed back to Champaign. Overall this was a pretty fun morning and if you don’t mind a drive, this could be a nice way to spend the day outside (once the weather decides what season it is).
Forest Glen Preserve
20301 E 900 North Road
Westville
Hours vary
Free
