Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo

I really like what they did to this area… making it a nature preserve. However, I do miss the Swan Lake themed boats you could paddle around… that would be romantic. Instead, there is a winding path with a new small pavilion where I have only seen used for a yoga class. You can come face to face with birds of the wild and can see fish are thriving in the new ecosystem. The thing that upsets me the most is that patrons have no respect for nature and the pond is littered in some spots. I wish it was cleaned or people would not litter!

The boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo is a beautiful place. There is a lot of greenery to relax the mind and put you at ease. The summer time brings out all of its splendor. If you like peace and tranquillity, come to the board walk and chill. There will definitely be many others with the same idea in mind.

Wow. What’s there not to love about this place?
It’s a beautiful boardwalk around a pond in the middle of Chicago. And it’s free. And it’s adjacent to Lincoln Park Zoo.
There is one thing not to love: It’s so awesome sometimes there are too many people here.

This beautiful area holds a very special place in heart. I came here over the summer at night; it was the second half of a date. We walked around taking in the scenery and the warm August air. There were quite a few people out doing the same. We shared a couple of kisses under the bridge and really enjoyed all of the greenery and the pond. The Nature Boardwalk is the perfect spot to take pictures, become one with nature, take a walk with your family, and if you’re a hopeless romantic like myself then its also the perfect spot to fall in love.

So relaxing in the summer. I always stop at this place from 8 to 9 pm. Being here helps me get ready for the week. You have a great view to downtown and the night can be so peaceful. This is my favorite spot in Chicago without a doubt. Can’t wait to see how it this place is in the winter though…

I love this place! The Nature Boardwalk at the LP Zoo is a great little ½ mile walk around the pond by the Café Brauer. There is all manner of coneflower, black eyed susans, and other native plants, as periodic signage teaches you about Illinois prairies and the flowers, fish, and birds that inhabit this area. It’s open to the public from the south end, so entrance to the Zoo is not needed to enjoy the Boardwalk.
There’s an interesting honeycomb sculpture on the pond, and it reminds me of the cornucopia pod in the Hunger Games. But there’s no survival of the fittest here! This bucolic piece of nature in Lincoln Park is a great way to enjoy nature as you walk through the Zoo, or as a shortcut to your destinations beyond.

Great place to take pictures with the different views of the park, river, and bridge. The views of the city was great there! The honey comb shed was great for pictures and yoga! Easy access walk to north avenue beach. Great place for a relaxing walk there.

The Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo is a green oasis in the City of Chicago. It is a half mile boardwalk alongside the South Pond that is contiguous to both Lincoln Park and Lincoln Park Zoo. The Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo is breathtaking nature that costs nothing. This breathtaking nature that costs nothing and gives so much is restored wetlands, natural shorelines, native plantings, wildflowers, and water.
The sign near the entrance best describes the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo:
«A Green Oasis in the Heart of the City. Skyscrapers tower in the
background. Buses arrive bearing tourists from the Loop. The cars
on Lake Shore Drive zoom or sit (depending on the traffic), And in
the center of it all sits a beautiful green oasis, with walkways,
native plants and wildlife offering a refuge in the heart of the city.»
With its restored wetlands, natural shorelines, and native plantings; when people walk along the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo they are taking a walk on Chicago’s’ wild side. The other day I took a walk on Chicago’s wild side.
The beautiful thing about the Boardwalk (abbreviating it) is the way it connects to Lincoln Park and Lincoln Park Zoo. Without admission booths (the zoo and park are free) the wooded walking paths are uninterrupted. One minute I was looking at camels then the next I am looking at perennial wildflowers with the south pond.
The best way to describe the Boardwalk is a u-​shaped walkway south of the zoo proper. The dividing line is the bridge across the pond. The bridge is the starting point. Standing on the bridge I saw the boardwalk I would be hiking with the water below the grand Chicago skyline in the distance. I highly recommend spending time to look at the Chicago skyline diagram with the names of the skyscrapers.
Throughout the walk, I was a student learning about nature in a linear outdoor classroom. The information signs taught me informative facts about the birds that live here. They taught me about the wildlife including turtles, bass, raccoon, rabbits, and squirrels that are far more calm in comparison to the tigers, polar bears, and gorillas north of the boardwalk. They taught me about life by the South Pond in the different seasons. If knowledge is power, by the time I finished the hike I accumulated a lot of power.
The Boardwalk is more than nature. Hiking south I saw the grand views of the Chicago skyline. Hiking north, I saw the tall buildings along Clark Street that tower over the Farm-​in-​the-​zoo and mature canopy of trees. Hiking east I saw The People’s Gas Education Pavilion. It reminds me of a turtle shell over the contiguous forest of perennial wildflowers. A short distance further, the Grant Monument stood over a historic arch tunnel exit that indirectly connects to the Lakefront Path.
Creating a green oasis in the heart of Chicago is a major accomplishment. Four years after the Boardwalk opened in 2010 the dream of creating a slice of prairie in the big city is alive. It is a dream come alive that I give five stars.

It’s like something out of a movie with the serene and beautiful setting. It’s best in early mornings when the city hasn’t quite woken up yet. A nice quiet morning walk with the ducks and birds and butterflies is sometimes exactly what your soul needs! I would assume it’s a little less than a mile in length. It would be extra lovely to jog here or bring your pup with you for a walk!

This beautiful and somewhat new addition at the Lincoln Park Zoo is one of my favorite spots and views of the city. As someone who loves photography, this place makes me beam from happiness, regardless of the season.
The best way to put it is it’s an urban ecosystem, with 14 acres of natural shorelines, deepened waters and native plants. It’s a home to wildlife such as native birds, fish, frogs, as well as many more.
It’s never too crowded and it is an excellent location choice for a photo shoot, especially engagement or wedding. It’s also a great place to get away from «the city life» or go jogging. I recommend checking it out, regardless if you are a Chicago resident or a tourist.

It is a great little walk for the family or a new addition to your jog. There could be a little «more» to it but it is a good enhancement to Lincoln Park overall.

Oh how I love the Nature Boardwalk! Every time we come to the zoo, this is a must stop for us. The boardwalk is probably about a mile in length, and is never too crowded, so folks can take a nice, quiet leisurely stroll.
You will spot several species of wildlife here. There are lots of different kinds of birds, but my favorite are the turtles sunning themselves on rocks in the middle of the water.
The paths are always clean, and snake through beautifully landscape terrain. There are benches if one wishes to sit and take in the gorgeous surroundings. This little boardwalk truly is a relaxing retreat from the hectic hustle and bustle of the city.

The Lincoln Park Conservancy has done an outstanding job in restoring the boardwalk around the South Pond. It is definitely worth your time to stroll the boardwalk as an add-​on to a zoo visit or just on its own. It is adjacent to the zoo, by the Farm in the Zoo, and shares the same parking options.
If you enjoy birdwatching, the South Pond is a great destination. There is a Black Crowned Night Heron rookery (breeding colony) on the south end and on the island and in the surrounding trees you will spot all sorts of birds. This spring a Least Bittern was in the reeds across from the Farm in the Zoo — a rarity so it was a hot spot for birders.

The Nature Boardwalk is one of my favorite places in the city! It’s quiet, pretty, and my dog absolutely loves it here. The entire path is about 1 mile long and it allows for a nice evening walk. In the winter, the snow is always shoveled and no matter the season or day, the path is never closed. I always see volunteers planting flowers or cleaning up trash and you can really see their efforts. This is perfect for a romantic walk, a jog by yourself, or for eating ice-​cream with family or friends. There’s a plethora of benches and the photo spots are boundless (my fiancé and I actually took our engagement pictures here). One of the best kept secrets in the city!

The boardwalk is a great addition to the Lincoln Park Zoo.
The boardwalk, which is manufactured out of recycled material, is a great way to see the pond’s natural habitats, such as frogs, fish and various birds. The natural grasses and flowers are beautifully landscaped. Do I really need to mention the skyline of the city at the south end of the pond? What a beautiful sight.
The walk is wide enough for guests to enjoy the wildlife and the views of the city.
I know this was a long process to preserve this area but it is well done!
Go and enjoy this area. Don’t forget to bring your camera.

Lovely area to jog, bike, or sit and enjoy the city skyline and/​or urban ecosystem. Benches line the boardwalk. Better area to sit than the lawn in the zoo where you risk being head-​butted by seagulls (or running children).

Like the website says: Plunge into an urban oasis with Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo! This new, natural ecosystem offers a haven for native birds, frogs, fish, turtles, insects and more.
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This is a superb place to walk or jog. The north end is at Café Brauer. The «loop» is probably ¹⁄₃ of a mile, I’m guessing. I’ve been here several times and it’s never been crowded.
Guano Alert: The geese are way too domesticated. Of course, mom geese had no problem with the people like me getting within a few feet of the goslings, nor with the couple who just had to feed them for their toddler’s amusement, but they went berzerk when passed by a leashed dog.
Enjoy!