Big Marsh Park

At nearly 300 acres, Big Marsh Park—located along Lake Calumet in Southeast Chicago, a historically industrial area of Chicago—is the Chicago Park District’s largest natural area. It’s also one of the city’s most interesting ongoing natural restoration projects, luring visitors with paved paths, BMX jump lines and bike rentals housed inside an expansive bike park. Looking for a slightly more informative approach to experiencing the park’s natural settings? As of 2021, Big Marsh is home to the Ford Calumet Environmental Center, an educational hub where visitors can learn about everything from the land’s indigenous heritage to the various native plants, animals and insects that call the area home; public programming and on-site naturalists are also available to supplement the experience.