May Watts Park provides a peaceful, attractive view of the changing season, more brilliant by the day throughout October when colors collided with clear blue skies some days, cloudy skies sometimes and overcast gray clouds other times.
While leaves continue to fall, discover plenty of choices every day to experience a variety of natural treasures created for folks in a vibrant city with a showcase of trails in its parks and forest preserves. For starters, take the .89-mile trail around May Watts Park, pictured here. Then explore the beauty of Lake Osborne, the Riverwalk, Commissioner’s Park, Knoch Knolls as well as Springbrook Prairie, McDowell Grove, Greene Valley and Whalon Lake forest preserves.
Research supports that contact with nature in the great outdoors increases happiness, subjective well-being and positive social interactions. Evidence also shows that walking in nature may decrease mental distress and increase your sense of purpose and meaning, helping to create a more positive outlook on life.
Though hitting the trails can be a beneficial daily routine year round, every autumn the saying attributed to landscape architect Elizabeth Lawrence also speaks volumes.
“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.”
Autumn in Naperville / Last week in October 2023
Lake Osborne
Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve
Naperville Riverwalk
Commissioner’s Park
