Greenbelt Cultural Center

Set within the native landscape of Greenbelt Forest Preserve, this community gathering place expresses the relationship between culture and the natural world through events and nature and history education programs. The trails around the Center lead to an interpretive nature pond and link to additional preserve trails.

The building also offers exceptional indoor and outdoor spaces, including two classrooms, a divisible multi-purpose room, two community art galleries, and an outdoor amphitheater. Large windows offer panoramic views of the surrounding natural setting. 

Programs and Events

A variety of programs and events celebrating Lake County’s rich cultural diversity and natural world are offered here year-round. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.

• Be inspired by Lake County's best gospel voices at the annual Gospelfest.
• Enjoy an afternoon of outdoor nature activities. Engage in fort building, insect netting, creative nature art, exploration, crafts and live animals. Fun for the whole family at Kids Nature Funfest.
• Monthly community campfires in the spring and fall offer a chance to experience nature at night.
• The annual Profiles In Excellence program honors black history and African-American achievements each February.

Education Programs

Fun and educational opportunities are offered in the form of classes, camps, music, plays, and performances. 

• School & Scout programs offer topics ranging from Illinois pioneers, to cultural experiences, to nature, and use our two large indoor classrooms and the surrounding preserve as a natural classroom.
• Summer Camps are themed around fishing, art and acting.
• Outdoor nature classes taught by our environmental educators. Many are free, drop-in sessions.

The long-held dream of a community gathering place was first given life by a voter-approved referendum.

An advisory committee of residents, government officials and local leaders oversaw the development of the Cultural Center to meet such goals as bringing people and nature together, providing a venue where everyone can enjoy and learn about the arts and the environment, and offering a place where the community and businesses can host meetings and special celebrations.

The Greenbelt Cultural Center opened in June 2000 through the support of the community and assistance from corporate partners Abbott Laboratories and Grainger. A building expansion was completed in October 2011.

The Cultural Center is located within Greenbelt Forest Preserve, which provides year-round outdoor recreation. The prairies, rolling hills, oak forest, marshes and lake make the preserve perfect for evening strolls, afternoon barbecues, cross-country skiing and other activities.

Free Parking

The entrance to the Cultural Center is on the east side of Green Bay Road (Route 131), between 10th and 14th streets, south of Route 120 (Belvidere Road).

For access to trails and fishing on the east side of Greenbelt Forest Preserve, use the Dugdale Road parking lot.