THE NORTH POND NATURE SANCTUARY

Plan A Visit

The North Pond Nature Sanctuary
The 15-acre sanctuary is located in Lincoln Park between Fullerton and Diversey Parkways, and Stockton and Cannon Drives.
Chicago, IL 60614

Admission: Free

Hours of Operation
6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day

North Pond Nature Sanctuary Map
Map (pdf)

Public Transportation
CTA bus service on the 151 Sheridan and 156 LaSalle routes stop adjacent to the North Pond Nature Sanctuary on Stockton Drive at the Arlington, Roslyn, or Wrightwood Avenue stops.

Parking
Public parking is available for $13 a day in the lot directly behind the Lincoln Park Conservatory building. The lot entrance is on Stockton Drive just south of Fullerton. Street parking may also be available on Stockton or Cannon Drives between Fullerton and Diversey Parkways.

Free Docent Tours
Volunteer docents are on-site from mid-May through October on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from Noon to 4 p.m. Private or group tours are available by appointment, please call the Lincoln Park Conservancy office at (773) 883-PARK.

Handicapped Accessibility
The North Pond Nature Sanctuary is handicapped accessible except for certain mulched shoreline paths and the fly-casting pier.

Telephone Numbers
For General Info or to Book a Docent Tour: (773) 883-PARK

Visitor Etiquette
While visiting the North Pond Nature Sanctuary, please:

• No fishing — the pier is for fly-casting practice only.
• Protect habitat by staying on the paths.
• Do not pick flowers or remove natural elements.
• Dogs and bicycle-riding are not allowed on the shoreline nature trails.
• For their own safety, please keep dogs leashed and out of the water.
• No swimming or boating allowed.
• Keep off ice in winter

Volunteer
To become a docent at the North Pond Nature Sanctuary, the Lincoln Park Conservatory & Gardens, or the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, please visit our Volunteer page, call (773) 883-PARK or email Volunteer@LincolnParkConservancy.org.

Why We Ask You Not to Feed the Wildlife

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

• Feeding the birds at the pond is a fun way to interact with them, but in the long run it is harmful. Human food is not meant for their digestive systems, and leftovers attract rodents.
• Feeding waterfowl can disrupt natural migratory behavior.
• When people feed ducks and geese their numbers increase and the life of a pond changes. Huge flocks of these birds pollute the water and litter the lawn with their droppings. When birds are crowded, diseases spread more quickly.
• Birds need the nutrients from eating a natural diet of plants, seeds, and insects. Bread and other human food is like junk food, filling their stomachs with unhealthy food that can make them sick. It also discourages birds from foraging for natural foods.
• Feeding can cause dependency on people for food and make birds susceptible to human abuse or harm when they become trusting of everyone they approach.
• Feeding any wildlife at the pond makes them bold. When animals loose their natural fear of humans its causes uncomfortable, even fearful, encounters with park visitors who do not trust or like such close encounters with wild animals.

Caution: Feeding Waterfowl May Be Harmful!
Download (pdf)