I was looking for a piece of public art and found something even better…read more When a butterfly mural was painted in Fowler in 2017 (see review for "Be the Change"), some local folks were motivated by the motto on the mural. Where downtown was seeing a number of vacancies and some dilapidated buildings, some folks decided to take action and started a fund raising page. By early 2019, over $50,000 was privately raised by citizens and qualified for a matching grant of $50k from the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority. Completed in 2019, Monarch Commons is a beautiful new park with a shelter and flower beds and lots of landscaping with limestone. There are tables and benches for visitors to relax and enjoy. And though the trees are still too small to provide much shade, the park rests in front of a beautiful mural of Monarch butterflies. The park grabs your attention when you enter town on Washington Street and lets you know that the folks here can get things done. I love when people get inspired to make a change and create something beautiful where there was once nothing. Way to go Fowler! Keep it going! Review #3016

This is a great area to relax outside with my kids. I'm glad the town decided to invest in this…read moreproject. They did and amazing job.

This was the first park I visited on this road trip and for me, the history of the park was more…read moreinteresting than the park itself. The town of Oxford has less than 1200 people, so for them to keep this park going for over 100 years is impressive. There isn't a lot for visitors to do here. There is a small playground and limited parking. But there is a sign on the building on site that tells of how the grounds were originally for the Oxford Academy (1967-74) and then for a public school from 1874-1909 until it was torn down. That is when it became a park. It isn't in great condition, but is tended to. There are swings and a climbing piece for kids to play on. Review #3012

Unless you are a skilled hiker, I recommend going to this beautiful nature preserve when the…read moreweather has been dry. There is about 90 feet of elevation change on the 0.8 mile loop that can be a bit slippery if you pick a time when mud/rain can be a problem. I only explored the north end trail during my visit. After parking in a shaded lot, I went into the park where I had a choice of left or right. The right side has a steeper descent than the left. Fortunately, there is a hand rail for stability. I figured it easier to go down the steep side than up, so I stayed on the right hand path. There is a fairly level area before you reach the "stairs". The stairs are mostly natural, so they aren't evenly spaced. Just keep focused and you should be alright. Once the trail reaches the bottom of the gorge, there are places where elevated paths keep your feet from trekking through the mud. Depending upon how much rain has fallen, you may get some mud, but my feet stayed dry the entire loop. At the base, there are deep ravines where the trees catch the sunlight and light up in brilliant yellow greens. The rocks are layered and take on a rusty color that can make for some great photos. The highlight of the loop is finding the "arch" through the ridge of rock. It was just a bit taller than my head (I would say most folks won't need to duck going through.) After that, you will start working your way back. Although I traveled the same distance up, it was gradual and not nearly as challenging as climbing steps. I didn't see much wildlife there, but there were squirrels and butterflies that showed themselves. I like a short hike that features a destination and great scenes along the way. If you like that too, then seek out this park. Review #2840

Great trail among beautiful landforms. It's a nice hike that makes for a good day trip along with…read moreWilliamsport Falls, Attica, and the courthouse murals on Covington.

We needed an overnight while traveling through Illinois and this was right off the highway. Lovely…read morepark with level camping sites and 50 amp electric. Our spot looked over the river and was very relaxing after a long drive. We did not explore other areas , but for our purpose this was great and on

Lots of excellent facilities and services at this park. I felt like the upkeep and cleanliness was…read moreexcellent, better than one would expect. The ranger at the campground check in was extremely helpful and friendly! The campground facilities were very clean and had recent remodeling such as new sink, counter, and floor resurfacing.

This sprawling park has several areas clustered around a central grove of trees. To the south is a…read moresplash park (small) and playground. To the north is a baseball diamond. To the west is a football stadium. In the center is a group of small buildings including a shelter and a concession area. It's pretty much a place for locals to have games and enjoy, but not much of an attraction. Review #3013

This park is behind a residential neighborhood and is next to a cemetery. It is huge and was opened…read morein 1985. This park has everything, and I do mean everything. The park has two very nice lighted baseball fields that are tournament ready. It also has a huge field with a bunch of soccer goals. It features a very nice splash pad that has a lot of fun stuff and seating on the perimeter for parents to sit. In addition to all of that the park has two horse shoe pits, two tennis courts, two sand volleyball courts (one is broken though), bathroom facilities, a very nice 1-mile paved multi-use trail that goes around the park and 2 picnic shelters with tables under them and a grills right outside. You can reserve a shelter on the city's website or at the town hall. The park's basketball court will do, but could use a little TLC. The tennis courts are adequate, Not the best, but I have seen much worse. The park is not short on green space. There is places that you can play catch, fly a kite, or have a picnic. The playground is awesome. It is right by the picnic shelter and is actually divided in to two area, one for infants/toddlers and one for all ages They have an old school merry-go-round, some traditional swings, see-saw, a balance beam, rockers, and each section has an age appropriate jungle gym with slides. The park is well maintained. I chatted with the man that was doing the daily maintenance while I was there. There is tons of free parking available around the park. Outside of a baseball/softball tournament, you should have no trouble finding a spot. I really like this park. You can spend a half to full day here. There is so much to do here. The only thing that is missing is a lake that you can paddle on and fish. I know that it is a bit off of the beaten path and not practical to visit if you do not live near here, but if you do make if here, you and your family will have a wonderful time.

If I could give this place -5 stars I would. I've been going here for probably 2 months to walk my…read moredog. Today I went and my dog got attacked by a pitbull a lady couldn't handle. There was a maintenance staff on site as well that did nothing to help the situation. This is terrifying in itself but adding the fact it's a kids park with playgrounds, a wet pad, and all other attractions is terrifying what if it was a child and not my dog.

For a town with just over 1000 people, Goodland has made good use of Foster Park. The park is…read moremostly flat and open with a winding walking path. There is some shade around the perimeter, but otherwise, the center is open. Most of the things to do are on the east side along the road. There is a large shelter with playgrounds for big and little kids. There is a veteran's memorial near the shelter as well. In the south east corner are the basketball and tennis courts. There is no designated parking lot, but street parking is allowed along the east side. The park was in good condition and during my visit, the flags were being flown at half mast in honor of 9/11's anniversary. Review #3021

Beautiful park. Has a basketball court. Nice gazebo for events. Nice kid area for kids to play on,…read moretennis court needs work.

I have never hiked at a prairie before and I am so glad that I chose this place for my exercise…read more Very well maintained park with lots of trails. The wildflowers alone will bring me back to this beautiful place.

The Buffalo Trace Prairie is a system of trails that are on the far western edge of the Lake of the…read moreWoods Forest Preserve. To be sure, there is much more to Lake of the Woods than just Buffalo Trace. The easiest entrance is located just north of Exit #172 off I-74 in Mahomet, on the left across from the botanical garden and before you get to the Early American Museum. Can't miss it. The trails run all through this medium-sized forest preserve and are perfect for jogging, biking, or dog walking. There is one major asphalt trail that runs E-W and several smaller trails that are really just places that they mow the prairie down every week or so. The asphalt trail is a little more than a mile long, and connects to a trail that is 5 mi in total. The intertwined grass trails are much longer all told, but since there are so many, you can customize as long or short of a walk as you want. The terrain is rolling hills, and the biome(s) are a pleasant transition from prairie to woods. None of the trails that I was on were at all challenging or in disrepair. I would suggest that if you intend to take the grass trails, take a good long look at the map before you leave the trail head, or bring one along. Thankfully, there are not really that many people making use of this park, which is cool. If you make use of the trail map, the trail in the far south of this park (by the highway) actually dead-ends and does not connect back to the parking lot, as is indicated on the map. Not a big deal, just a lil back-tracking. I needed the exercise.

Highland Park is a huge community park in Kokomo with lots of green space, recreational spaces and…read morea historic covered bridge. What I like best about the park are the mature trees that provide lots of shade. Some of the trees are over 400 years old. There is a huge colorful playground with climbing structures, swings and slides. The base is a mix of mulch and soft matting. Benches line the area for parents to sit and watch kids . (The equipment could use a good cleaning from the trees.) There are two ball diamonds with bleachers within the park. A beautiful stream that meanders through the park attracts fisherman. Tree-covered picnic areas are scattered along the creek. The Vermont Covered Bridge spans the creek and is open to pedestrian traffic. There are restroom facilities near the playground. There are several parking areas throughout the park and you can drive along the creek. Highland Park is a great place to bring the family.

This is a large park in Kokomo that truly has something for everyone. We were originally drawn here…read moreby the largest sycamore tree stump that is on display and the largest steer that is not alive, but a stuffed version is on display. There is parking right next to these attractions and easy access for those who need it. They were both behind glass so the glare made it hard to see both, but they were amusing. Right next to the display was a playground suitable for all ages. The slide is a bit high, and it seemed old, but in good condition. There are also covered picnic tables in the area. Down the ways a bit in the park is a red covered bridge that was fun to walk through and take some photos with. Lastly, there is a large pavilion stage area what was having an orchestra concert, free to attend, and the audience was partially shaded with some picnic tables in the back as well.

Great park for kids of all ages! Splash pad in the summer is a great time as well!! The restrooms…read morewere very clean and I have no complaints!!

Great park for young kids. Gets busy during summer afternoons. There's a decently large playground…read morewith a padded ground, multiple tall slides, monkey bars. Next to the playground is a large splash pad with several shaded benches. Not much shade to be found elsewhere in the park. Small concession stand open when we went (June). Bathrooms at the entrance to the playground/splash pad. Several picnic tables on the other side of the parking lot that are partly shaded by trees.