A New Season, A New Center: The January Transformation at Lowell Park

If you’ve stepped into the Ruth Edwards Nature Center recently, you might have noticed things look a little... different. This January, we’ve been busy transforming our space from a storage area into a living, breathing classroom where the community can get their hands dirty (literally!).

From Closets to Classrooms

Our main goal this month was the "Artifact Reveal." We’ve pulled historical treasures out of the back rooms and put them front and center. The Nature Center is now divided into two intentional spaces:

• The Curator’s Room: A space to explore the rich history of Lowell Park through original letters and rare documents.

• The "Touch and Play" Hub: A dedicated area where kids (and adults!) can interact with nature through tactile learning.

A Digital Home for History

On January 2nd, we officially launched lowellpark.com. This isn't just a website; it’s a digital flagship for everything we do. We’ve digitized our historical archives and integrated a live weather station (KILDIXON68) right on the blog. The response has been overwhelming, we saw an 838% increase in visitors this month! It turns out, Dixon loves its history as much as we do.

Winter Gardening & "Nature Fun"

We didn't let the cold stop us from growing. We kicked off our Winter Gardening Series with sessions on Winter Sowing and Microgreens. It’s been amazing to see the center filled with neighbors "picking the brains" of experts and getting a head start on the 2026 growing season.

We also welcomed 50 little explorers for our first "Nature Fun" session of the year, led by the U of I Master Gardeners. Seeing the next generation of stewards getting excited about frogs and birds is exactly why we do what we do.

Maintain the "Starving Months"

While we’re cozy inside, we haven’t forgotten our feathered friends. Our team has been working hard to keep the sanctuary bird feeders stocked during these critical "starving months." If you haven't been by lately, come sit by the windows—the variety of local species visiting us right now is incredible!

Looking Ahead: Trees, Camps, and Earth Day

The momentum isn't slowing down. We are currently:

• Designing a 300-student Scavenger Hunt Coloring Book for a massive surge of upcoming field trips.

• Preparing for the return of the Million Trees Project in April, where we will distribute 600-900 native oaks to Lee County residents.

• Finalizing our Summer Camp schedule (June 1-August 7), featuring Junior Master Naturalist certifications!

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’re visiting the live weather station online or stopping by for a cup of tea and a seed swap, you are making the Nature Center the heart of Lowell Park.

Microgreens at Lowell Park

Even when the Illinois Forest Preserve is tucked under a blanket of snow, the growing season doesn't have to stop at Lowell Park! We’ve officially kicked off our 2026 Winter Gardening Series at the Nature Center, and while we love seeing your faces in person, we know the winter weather doesn't always cooperate. If you missed a session or just want to refresh your memory, we’re making all our "dirt-under-the-fingernails" wisdom available right here online!

We’re starting with a house-favorite: Microgreens. Many people don't realize that microgreens are simply standard vegetables harvested at their absolute peak, nutrient-dense stage. You don't need expensive specialty packets labeled "microgreens" standard seeds for your favorite garden staples like lettuce, spinach, collards, and mustard work perfectly. The only real difference? We’re growing them right on the kitchen counter and harvesting the rewards in just a few days, rather than waiting months for the spring thaw.

Step 1: The "Lowell" Soil Prep

Don't use dry soil. It won't absorb water correctly once it's in the pan.

• The Bucket Mix: Fill a bucket halfway with water. Add your dirt and mix until it’s like a wrung-out sponge.

• Use Warm Water: Warmer water breaks the soil's surface tension faster and makes mixing much easier.

  
  

Step 2: Set Your Trays

• Choose your container: Use a soil blocker to prep your dirt on a tray or spread the moist mix evenly into a standard sheet pan.

• Sow Thickly: Sprinkle your seeds across the dirt. You want a dense, even layer.

  
  

Step 3: The Blackout Phase

• Cover Up: Cover your pan or sheet with a lid. This keeps moisture in and encourages seeds to stretch as they germinate.

  
  

Step 4: Light & Growth

• The One-Inch Rule: Once they germinate (sprout), move them under grow lights.

• Stay Close: Keep the lights only one inch above the tiny plants. This prevents them from getting "leggy" or weak. Move the lights up as the plants grow to maintain that one-inch gap.

  
  

Step 5: Maintenance & Harvesting

• Watering: Water when the soil looks visibly dry to the touch.

• Harvest (5–7 Days): When they are ready, take scissors and snip the greens just above the soil line.

• Clean Up: Once finished, toss the remaining dirt/roots or compost them, and wash your pan for the next cycle.

Seed Options & Harvest Times

You don’t need special "microgreen" seeds, any standard garden seed works! Here is a breakdown of what to expect from common varieties:

Fast Growers (Ready in 5–7 Days)

• Radish: Very fast and spicy! Great for a kick on sandwiches.

• Mustard: These have a sharp, wasabi-like heat.

• Broccoli: Mild, crunchy, and famous for being a "superfood."

• Arugula: Very peppery and flavorful.

• Kohlrabi: Mild and sweet, often with beautiful purple stems.

Mid-Range Growers (Ready in 7–10 Days)

• Lettuce: Very mild and tender; the perfect "beginner" green.

• Collards: Earthy and robust; holds up well in hot dishes.

• Kale: Mild flavor and very hardy; great for smoothies.

• Cabbage: Sweet and crunchy; often adds a pop of red or green color.

Slow Growers (Ready in 10–14 Days)

• Cilantro: Tastes exactly like the full-grown herb; amazing on tacos.

• Beets: Striking red stems and an earthy, sweet flavor.

• Carrots: Feathery, delicate tops with a very mild carrot sweetness.

• Swiss Chard: Comes in "Rainbow" varieties with bright yellow, pink, and red stems.

Pro-Tip: The "Harvest Window"

You can technically harvest any of these as soon as the first two leaves (cotyledons) are fully open and looking "fat." If you wait too long and the "true leaves" start to grow, the stems can become woody and the flavor can turn bitter.

The Perpetual Harvest

For an ongoing supply, plant a small tray every day. This allows you to cycle through a fresh harvest daily.

How to Enjoy

Microgreens are perfect on eggs and sandwiches, but they can be added to almost any dish for a fresh crunch and a massive nutrient boost.

A Season of Growth: Reimagining the Dixon Park District Nature Center

Welcome to our very first blog post! As we prepare for our official brand launch this January, we wanted to take a moment to look back at the incredible journey we’ve shared over the last few months. What started as a summer pilot has blossomed into a year-round hub for recreation, education, and preservation.

Here is a look at how we’ve grown together since July.

From Summer Fun to Year-Round Impact

Our summer was defined by "open play" and exploration. We welcomed over 170 participants in July and August for nature art, bug investigations, and scavenger hunts.

By September, we transitioned into a full-time, year-round facility. We launched the Limited-Edition Collector’s Badge Program, which saw families returning week after week to complete new challenges and collect their rewards.

Record-Breaking Moments

October was truly a month for the record books. We reached nearly 300 students in a single day during our Stewardship Days bison presentation. Between school field trips, our sold-out "Spooky Hike," and professional training for area educators, we engaged nearly 500 community members in just 31 days.

Innovation in Education

We believe that nature should be accessible to everyone, which is why we’ve spent the fall developing "Nature Center to Go" resources:

The Bone Artifact Kit: Featuring more than 35 distinct specimens such as a variety of skulls, this kit offers engaging, tactile experiences for science learners.

The Bison Artifact Kit: Showcasing authentic bison items like pelts and skulls, this collection provides immersive, real-world exploration of natural history.

Nature Sensory Bin Library: A new check-out program featuring 12 themed, curriculum-based kits that families and teachers can take home.

Citizen Science: In November, we officially joined Project FeederWatch, turning our visitors into real-world scientists by tracking the birds that visit our new feeding stations.

What’s Next?

Our physical space is evolving, too. Thanks to partnerships with the U of I Extension Master Gardeners, we’ve begun planting our new Wildlife Sanctuary Garden and installing 4K solar-powered cameras to capture remote wildlife footage to share with you all.

Save the Date: January 2026 This is when everything comes together! We will be officially launching our full brand kit and our 2026 program lineup!

COMING SOON

• Our new professional logo and website.

• An exclusive line of Nature Center merchandise

• Lots of fun Nature programming

• Nature Summer Camp 2026 sneak peak

  
  

Thank you for being part of this journey. We can't wait to see you on the trails!