Unfortunately, our pedestrian bridge over Thorn Creek is too damaged to repair. So the Thorn Creek Management Commission and the Friends of Thorn Creek Woods are planning to rebuild the wooden bridge in the same location—an option that requires some revised design and materials planning and the raising of considerable funds. This Rebuild will be a kind of temporary solution—a bridge lasting in the range of ten years.  So the Commission will also pursue planning/designing//funding for a more permanent New Bridge solution.

In the meantime, the 3/4-mile Nature Center Loop Trail and spur to the creek are open to the public and scheduled naturalist-led programs continue to be available.

Note that going off trail, including crossing the creek, is not permitted. All the trails on the east side of Thorn Creek-the Woodland Trail, Owl Lake Trail, and Wetland Trail-are closed to the public.

Tune in for news about the cost and timing for the Rebuild, and about the investigations and planning for the New option.

We so appreciate your continued support and understanding.

As the options and designs are being investigated, Friends, a 501C3 organization, has set up a Bridge Fund to accept donations for the Rebuild and the New Bridge.

Click here to become a member of Friends of Thorn Creek Woods. Click here to donate to the Friends General Purposes Fund. An online donations link will be posted in November for donations to the Bridge Fund. And as always you can contact Friends to donate by mail at P.O. Box 32, Richton Park, IL 60471. For other ways to help see the options in the “Donate” tab underneath the photo at the top of this page.

For additional information on the status of the bridge project contact Thorn Creek Nature Center at 708-747-6320, or by email at thorn_creek@att.net.

The Nature Center is open to the public on Fridays from noon to 4 p.m.

There are signs and maps at the trail head kiosk, in the Nature Center and on the trails, alerting hikers to the areas that are now closed in the preserve.

The Preserve’s bridge over Thorn Creek is not safe and must remain closed until further notice. Woodland Trail, Owl Lake Trail, and Wetland Trail are also closed — due to the bridge being out.

• The half-mile Nature Center Loop Trail remains open to the public.
• Our scheduled naturalist-led programs will be available.
• The Nature Center is open to the public on Fridays — noon to 4 p.m. 

For more information or to register for programs, contact Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Rd, Park Forest, 708-747-6320, email thorn_creek@att.net.