Parking

Parking & Program Drop-Off
Parking and program drop-off is available in front of the Nature Center at 130 Forest Avenue just off Grove Street. This small lot includes 7 visitor spots and a handicapped spot with quick and easy access to the Nature Center building. For more information, view directions from MapQuest.

This smaller parking lot is ideal for school bus drop-off, or parking for smaller groups and families; however, it fills quickly, especially during peak-use hours such as summer camp pick-up / drop-off and special events. If possible, we recommend that visitors use the additional parking located by the Water Park.

Additional Parking
Additional parking is available in the larger parking lot at the Itasca Water Park located just south of Irving Park Road at 100 Catalpa Avenue Simply walk south to the path, over the main bridge and then left to the Nature Center. For more information, view directions from MapQuest.

Avoid Parking Altogether - Take the Train
The Village of Itasca is served by the Union Pacific-Metra Commuter Railroad on the Milwaukee District West Line, which operates from Union Station, Chicago to Elgin, Illinois. Walk south from the Itasca train station on Maple Avenue to Grove Street, and west to the Nature Center.