Willowhaven
Interpretive
Center Exhibits

Willowhaven Interpretive Center provides a place to discover, learn and explore the natural splendor of the outdoors. Willowhaven has both permanent and seasonal exhibits. Current displays include two hands-on discovery tables with real feathers, pelts ones, antlers and much more.
Children enjoy our animal tracks table and our Scoop on Poop table with replica scat samples from native wildlife.

The mounted animal displays at Willowhaven are also popluar with both children and adults. Current displays include grouse, a great horned owl, wild turkey, raccoon (including a rare albino raccoon), bass, crappie, white tail deer and caribou.

Willowhaven features a dissecting microscope table, computer desk, and a children's reading nook. the reading nook includes a pond themed carpeted area, replica log stools, and a real log table that shows the growth rings of a large elm tree.


The Willowhaven Interpretive Center is located on the Whispering Willows Park which is a wonderful location to study Illinois wetland and prairie ecosystems so naturally we have displays and posters featuring information reguarding these habitats.

During the months of April -June the Willowhaven Interpretive Center has special displays from the Chicago Field Museum. These displays fearture plants, animals, insects and geology exhibits from aroung North America. the exhibit displays change monthly. Previous displays included skunk cabbage, green snakes, local ducks and waterfowl, moths, porcupine, ground squirrles, and invasive asian longhorn beetles. What is coming next? You'll have to stop out and see!

Live Animals
The interpretive center has a number of live animals exhibits on display including fish, turtles and frogs.
The Pond Aquarium features local fish found in Kankakee County including Black Crappie, Green Sunfish, Bluegill and Shiner minnows.
Our Turtle tanks hold a pair of painted turtles and Shellsworth the Center's Box Turtle Mascott.
Our Tiger salamander is now joined by a White's tree frog in the amphibian exhibit tanks.
And of course Cornelious the Corn Snake still hides beneath his favorite rock.

Willowhaven Interpretive Center a facility of the Bourbonnais Township Park District 1451 N. 4000 E. Road Kankakee, IL 60901 Admission is free

New Hours! Mondays & Tuesday: Closed Wednesday-Friday: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Seasonal and holiday hours may vary. Keep an eye out for extended Saturday hours!

For more information please contact the Bourbonnais Township Park District at (815) 933-9905.