Historic Seth B. Atwood Park, commonly referred to as Atwood, encompasses woodland, prairie, river, and marsh habitats. It contains 334 acres of land with approximately one mile of the Kishwaukee River flowing through it. There are a variety of ecosystems, ranging from new forest growth to climax forests of oak, hickory, and walnut, from a marsh area to a large quarry, from a restored prairie to a dry creek bed where students and campers can look for fossils.

Atwood Center is climate-controlled and consists of a large dining area complete with a stone fireplace and beautiful views of the park, two classrooms, a nature display area, two bunk rooms, separate bathrooms and showers, and private teachers’ sleeping and bath quarters. Its overnight capacity is 79.

Atwood Center is open to the public every Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm with a scheduled feeding time for the Birds of Prey at 1:00 pm.

Atwood Center serves as a visitor’s center, providing guests the opportunity to take self-guided hikes through Atwood Park, witness scheduled feeding times at the new Birds of Prey exhibit, and ask questions or interact with Birds of Prey volunteers and Atwood Center staff. These weekend activities will all be offered for free.

Atwood Center is also available for weekend retreats and offers two classrooms, meeting space with dormitories, and optional meal service. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve program dates.

Adult Hiking Club

The Rockford Park District invites beginning and experienced hikers to join the Atwood Adult Hiking Club one Tuesday a month for a one-hour hike that begins promptly at 9 a.m., and takes place in a different location each time. Enjoy exercise, meeting friends, and exploring nature on hikes led by the Park District's Environmental Recreation & Education staff, who will provide information about the various aspects of nature sights and habitat along the way. Participants under age 18 should be accompanied by an adult; no registration is required for this free drop-in program.

Hike locations are subject to change; call 815-874-7576 to confirm, or if weather is questionable.

Stewardship Saturdays

Rockford Park District's Atwood Center in Seth B. Atwood Park welcomes help from citizens to maintain and preserve areas of the park's 334 acres while enjoying the outdoors. The Park District's second-largest park is uniquely diverse, with prairie, woodland, river, and wetland areas that need special attention.

The public is invited to join the Environmental Recreation and Education staff on the second Saturday of the month from March 9 through September 14, 2013 from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. for a brief lesson about the area to be worked on, then pitching in to help with some maintenance. All ages are welcome; youth under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Snacks will be provided. Families and other types of groups can enjoy spending time together while knowing their contributions of time and effort help benefit nature and the community; - groups of five or more are asked to call 815-874-7576 in advance to advise Atwood staff of attendance.

The next Stewardship Saturdays will be May 11, and June 8, 2013. These are drop-in sessions, with no pre-registration required.

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