Vehe Farm Community Park offers relaxing, free recreational opportunities for children and adults. There is a special emphasis on non-structured, nature-based recreation where visitors can interact with the site's natural environment at their own pace and interest level.
Year round, the prairie path is open. It begins to the left of the driveway between the two field stone pillars. It then goes north through the prairie, loops east, and ends just south of the soccer field by the wetland area. It is approximately one-third mile long. (Currently the path is not handicapped accessible; however, funding options to make them so are being explored.)
Along the prairie path is the Leave No Child Inside animal footprint trail. This trail is child-oriented. At small stations along the trail, a particular native animal is highlighted. This includes a mold of the animal's footprint, brief habitat information, and a pamphlet for children to take home. Our deepest thanks to Girl Scout Troop 816 for authoring the pamphlets and to Greg Frech who constructed the information stands as his 2008 Eagle Scout project.
Birding at Vehe Farm is fun! Thanks to Boy Scout Troop 964 we started a bluebird trail in 2003. Since that time birdhouses have been donated by the Wild Bird Center in Fox River Grove. Currently there are seven boxes that have been homes to bluebirds and swallows. We monitor the trail and report results to the Audubon Society. The following bird species have been seen at the farm: bluebird, downy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, ladder-backed woodpecker, cardinal, robin, house wren, swallow, chickadee, mourning dove, red-tailed hawk, assorted sparrows, egret, assorted duck, crane, heron, kildeer, Canadian geese, red- headed woodpecker, crow, |
nuthatch, starling, cedar waxwing, junco, goldfinch, ruby-throated hummingbird, grackle, cowbird, and more during spring and fall migration.
While strolling around the barnyard, visitors learn about the historical uses of our five outbuildings, the barn and the windmill. There are two corn cribs, two machine sheds, a chicken coop, the windmill and, of course, the 1866-built barn. It's all quite a site--something new for children and something nostalgic for many adults. (Currently the barnyard is not handicapped accessible; however, funding options are being explored.)
During the spring, summer and fall, the Betty McLaughlin Memorial Butterfly Garden is open to the public. The best months are June, July and August. We even have an area designated as a children's garden.
There are many areas on the farm where visitors picnic. Just bring ground blankets and picnic baskets, and enjoy the setting, the sounds and the outdoors! If a soccer game isn't going on, the soccer field may be used for family games.
During the winter, cross-country skiing along the prairie path is permitted. The winter farm scene is beautiful. And the path's length is quite manageable for beginners.
Facility Reservations
Use of all the Community Center facilities and grounds is coordinated through the Village of Deer Park office which is located in the farm house. Please contact them directly with inquiries regarding reserving the facilities. |
