Why You NEED to Bring the Fam to Rock Cut State Park

As a college student, trips home are always the best. I get to see my family again, relax, and I’m back in the 815. I recently got to come home for Easter weekend, and one of my favorite people to hang out with (my mom) and I decided to check out Rock Cut State Park. Neither of us had been there despite being lifelong citizens of the Rockford area, and let me tell you, we have been missing out…

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Illinois Road Trip Round-Up: Geocaching

We’ve been “All In for Illinois” during the pandemic, but now that we're in Phase 4, we’re ready to enjoy our state safely. Check-in every Tuesday for an Illinois Road Trip Round-Up on themed topics showcasing eighteen destinations across Illinois. This week, we’re touring some of the state's best geocaching spots! So pack up the family, bring your masks, and get ready for a road trip…

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Illinois Road Trip Round-Up: Top Public Gardens

We’ve been “All In for Illinois” during the pandemic, but as we hit the unofficial start of summer, we’re ready to enjoy our state safely. Check-in every Tuesday for an Illinois Road Trip Round-Up on themed topics showcasing sixteen destinations across Illinois. This week, we’re touring some of the state's top public gardens! So pack up the family, bring your masks, and get ready for a road trip…

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Illinois Road Trip Round-Up: Top Hiking & Biking Trails

We’ve been “All In for Illinois” during the pandemic, but as we hit the unofficial start of summer, we’re ready to enjoy our state safely. Check-in every Tuesday for an Illinois Road Trip Round-Up on themed topics showcasing sixteen destinations across Illinois. This week, we’re bringing you the state’s top hiking and biking trails! So pack up the family, bring your masks, and get ready for a road trip…

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Spring's Treasure Hunt

The forest preserves are filled with fascinating sights, sounds and scents as spring emerges. Woodland wildflowers are beginning to bloom, hundreds of bird species are migrating through and nesting, frogs are calling, streams are babbling and insects return. What can you discover in your 43 Forest Preserves of Winnebago County…

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Visit Forest Preserves of Winnebago County for Fall Colors

When people talk about the spectacular fall colors in the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, many times they are referring to our maple forests. The maple trees’ yellow, orange and red leaves create swaths of blazing color among the oaks’ subtler browns in our woodlands. Prior to settlement in the early 1800s, maple trees, which are fire intolerant, grew only in areas protected from natural fires, such as river corridors. As a result, maples were relatively scarce. In the last 200 years of human fire suppression, maples have become much more abundant throughout our wooded lands…

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Our Beautiful Forest City

Forest City and Forest City Beautiful…Most likely you’ve heard these terms, but what do they mean? Both serve as great compliments to our beautiful city. Simply put, Forest City is a nickname that stems from the many trees and forests that beautify our region. In my opinion, one of the area’s finest attributes. After all, a beautiful city is one that residents are proud to call home. An initiative powering that pride is Forest City Beautiful…

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