Spooky Seasonal Sensations
Calling all dog owners!
Howloween - Canine Costume Contest!
On October 29th, join us on the Wild Mile for a fall festival full of seasonal wonders and colorful canines! Come sip some apple cider by our fire pit, and don't forget to bring your furry friend! Costumes will be judged on creativity, cuteness, and effort. Bribing the judges by letting them take selfies with your competitor is discouraged, but not illegal. Cats, reptiles, birds, and insects are all welcome, but may be held to a higher standard. All competitors must be on-leash.
No pet? No problem! Come celebrate the changing seasons and admire the local talent!
Magical Mussels (3,000 of Them)
Just in time for spooky season, we received 3,000 new Giant Floater mussels from the DuPage County Forest Preserve’s Urban Stream Research Center! These little freakazoids may seem innocent enough, but if you’re a fish, they’re a pesky parasite! As an intermediate stage in their development, baby freshwater mussels attach themselves to the gills of a fish, sucking their blood for sustenance until they’re old enough to live independently.
We’re excited to welcome these little vampires to their new home on the Wild Mile, where they’ll filter up to ten gallons of water per day (each) once fully grown! Click the button below to learn more about our habitat design and how it helps them stay happy and healthy!
Chicago Architecture Center Open House
Last year was the Wild Mile’s first time as a site for the Chicago Architecture Center’s Open House… and we’ve been invited to be part of the event again this year! With 200+ sites, Open House Chicago is a city-wide event, and is a fantastic way for us to share our work with a broader audience. Join us on October 18-19 for tours of the Wild Mile, led by our knowledgeable staff and docents!
October Events Calendar
Summer has passed, but our events continue! Event descriptions and RSVP links can always be found on the events page of our website.
River Ranger Social: October 15th, 6 - 7:30pm (at Off Color)
Chicago Architecture Center Open House: October 18th (12 - 5pm) and October 19th (10 - 5pm)
Wild Mile Walking Tour: October 22nd, 5:30pm
Wild Mile S’mores Night: October 22nd, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Fishing on the Wild Mile: October 25th, 10am-2pm
Wild Mile Native Plant Tour, Fall: October 26th, 11am - 12:30pm
Howloween: October 29th, 5:30-8pm
Partner Events at the Wild Mile:
Book Launch: Something Small of How to See a River: October 5th, 4:30 - 6:30pm
Hydrosonic Light Show: Worldview Whirlwind: October 7th and 14th, 8:30 - 10:30pm
Chicago Textile Center Meet and Greet: October 10th and 24th, 5 - 6:30pm
Yoga on the Wild Mile 2025 Season Celebration: October 12, 5 - 7pm
Office Insights
Need a Halloween costume? Look no further! The river provides endless inspiration. “Steal their look” with these cheap and easy DIY costumes!
Black Crowned Night Heron
Classy and mysterious, this river-regular is the latest in statement pieces that pop!
Pumpkinseed
Small but feisty, all you need to complete this look is a healthy sense of aggression!
Muskrat
Always cutesy, and always bringing the understated looks!