Great Parks Maple Sugar Events Coming to Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve

As sweet sap begins dripping into buckets on the maple trees at Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve, Great Parks is offering maple sugar-themed events, including both a date night and a weekend full of family-friendly activities.

When the air temperature climbs above freezing during the day and drops back below freezing at night, sap begins moving inside maple sugar trees. At Farbach-Werner, Great Parks is tapping into the trees, collecting the sap and then boiling off excess water to leave behind sweet maple syrup. 

Maple in the Moonlight

This adults-only program kicks off Great Parks’ maple sugaring programs for the season. A perfect date night event, it runs from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, to also start Valentine’s Day weekend. Centering the park’s historic Ellenwood Nature Barn, the program invites guests to hike the 0.6-mile Pin Oak Trail and warm themselves by a fire with live music by Monte Lykins. Guests can try maple tastings and make a maple syrup-inspired project to take home. 

Tickets cost $35 and include one drink ticket, or $27 without a drink ticket.

Maple Sugar Days

Great Parks Maple Sugar Days offer a full weekend of family-friendly fun, from noon-4 p.m. on Feb. 21-22. Guests can enjoy hikes to see the tapped trees at Farbach-Werner, taste maple sugar flavored treats, watch the steamy action as the water is boiled off from tree sap to reveal maple syrup and explore all the traditions that go with maple sugaring. It all comes with the fun of learning about the work that goes into collecting and preparing maple sugar.

Admission to Maple Sugar Days is free, with some activities requiring a small fee.

Even when programs are not scheduled, Farbach-Werner’s 25 acres are open dawn to dusk and the public is welcome to visit, walk the trails to see tapped trees, watch for wildlife and escape the hustle of everyday life with fresh air in a peaceful setting.

(Note: Valid Motor Vehicle Permits are required for every vehicle entering Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve. Information about purchasing MVPs, and accessing free or discounted MVPs, is available at greatparks.org.)