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

We recently went to Illinois to visit family and planned to go to Kickapoo to do some fishing and…read moregrilling. It was a pretty warm day, so we found a spot with some shade, flat ground, benches and access to the pond for fishing. We didn't have much luck with the fishing, but neither did the folks who had been in the same spot before us. The park has several ponds with multiple access points. Some have docks where you can fish off of them and others have boat launches as well. A very large area with lots of picnic tables and stationery grills was roped off/closed. We weren't sure why. They also have paddle boats as well as kayak and tube rentals. Entry was free (which was surprising to me) and I was sad to see so much litter strewn about. People should take better care of our green spaces. Hopefully, they have someone who cleans up and maintains these areas.

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.

This park was a great place to get out and go for a walk. The sidewalk is oversized with plenty of…read moreroom for people to pass or go on opposing directions. On our walk we headed up a long winding sidewalk for a mile. We still hadn't reached the end before turning around and heading back. There were so many adorable dogs on the visit. We also saw several birds and squirrels. Plenty of parking and areas to get out. There is also a children play area and places to picnic. Recommended

My childhood park from 40 years ago... When visiting as an…read moreadult, I still see it as a wonderful park, well maintained etc., and definitely worth spending time at. The only downsides are, and this is comparing it to the 1980s..., is that there are many more people here, PAVED trails (not a fan), and the signs say that we can no longer explore off the trails... kind of a let down, but I understand.

Beautiful spot to take a scroll for free and enjoy nature. This arboretum is very well maintained,…read morespacious, and has plenty of parking. In addition to the ponds and gardens, do make a visit to Japan House if you get an opportunity when they're open.

The University of Illinois Arboretum was a nice surprise to. This was a great oasis from a busy…read morecollege campus. My husband and I went on a Saturday afternoon, and while there people there, it was not crowded. There was a nice mixture of trees, lakes, and trails. It is a great place to rest and relax. Be sure to go when the Japan House when it's open.

This is a great park! It has plenty of room and something for just about everybody! Some of the…read morefeatures are: - swimming pool and splash park - skate park - 2 playgrounds - baseball diamonds - horseshoe pits - 18 hole disc golf course Not only does it have the fun stuff, but it also has shelters, restrooms, and a memorial to the local infantry that fought in the War with Spain. The grounds are split by a flowing creek with several bridges for easy crossing. And the north end of the park is filled with mature trees that offer lots of shade for visitors. Review #965

I go here with my friends to hang out its like the after school hang out for most kids it's so…read morebeautiful there it is breathtaking I love going there to talk hang and take the kids I babysit

The Falls Creek Gorge is one of those places that if you go at the right time and/or have the right…read moreclothing/gear, you get a nice experience. Maybe even some great photos, too! The entire trek from parking lot to the potholes, then the mini waterfall, and then back the way you came to your car, is less than a mile. So, if you pack your car accordingly with a change of shoes or water shoes, you may not mind getting your feet wet if the water level is higher than when I went. Know that once you climb down a short stairway, you will most likely have to cross a slightly sloped rock area where water flows over it. I wasn't worried about getting my shoes wet (it was only about 1/4 inch deep) but because of the possibility of slipping and taking a hard fall onto the rock and sliding into the creek. The creek wasn't deep either, but rock is a lot harder than my bones, so I was careful as I crossed the area to the stairs that lead sharply up to the rest of the trail. I was fortunate that the water level was low and easily crossed to a spot where I could stand at creek level to view the potholes. The eddying current of the creek has worn a series of potholes in the river bed than make for a great audio experience hearing the water flow through them. The trail is steep at points and is narrow most of the way as you can get views from above the potholes and the creek. If you continue on the trail, it leads back to a mini waterfall that is only a couple feet high, but because of the setting and the sound, I found I was very pleased I went the extra distance to view it. I understand that the experience can be completely different after a heavy rain or in the winter when ice covers much of the creek. My advice is to know your own skill level at handling flowing water and ice before you undertake this park when the conditions are more challenging. Review #2843

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. This attraction was one of only two in Williamsport that enticed us…read moreto drive here from Indy. The gorge itself was splendid but upon our return to our vehicle we were welcomed by the local anti-economic development committee (the local police force) trying to scare us away. Weird. Oh well, enjoyed the trip anyway.

Such a Great experience for all ages doing both the drive thru and walk thru gave you an up close…read moreand personal experience with the wildlife

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this place. I expected some little petting zoo but this was a…read morelot more. We splurged and did the wagon ride and we're not disappointed. Everyone is given a bowl of animal food and these animals know it! The wagon crossed the cattle guards and here came the animals. Horses, water buffalos, things I've never seen nor heard of. You then can place food in your hand and these animals reach under the bars of the wagon to eat from your hand. For those not wanting that you can always place the food on the wagon floor. But hand feeding a bison was definitely a first for me. There is also an option to drive your own vehicle through the zoo but the wagon ride seems more exciting (and safer on the car). There is also a walking trail past the petting zoo, kangaroos, hyenas, and others. We did not go through the prehistoric museum. Only disappointment for one of us was that we didn't pet the sloth. A great kid experience after spending time driving through Amish country.

Now that the construction is completed on the new playground/splash park/nature garden, this park…read morehas a bit of something for everyone! See my previous review for more details or simply look at the pictures. Better yet, just go here! Be aware that parking is the only limitation, but you can find something if you are willing to walk a bit. Not just a cookie cutter park, this is something that will interest kids who like to splash in the water, mine for gold, play in the sand, or climb in forts. Way to go Covington! Too bad I live so far away. Rev #45

The Covington Community Playground and Splash Pad was designed in collaboration with Schmidt…read moreAssociates and Friends of the Covington City Park from illustrations, drawings, and models from the children of this community, along with public input from the citizens of Covington. The focal point is a castle on a hill, the first Kompan castle in the United States. This destination playground also features Indiana native vegetation, parkour course, sand and water sensory integration, expression swing, and a seasonal splash pad, the first of it's kind in not only the City of Covington, but in Fountain County, Indiana. The playground meets ADA compliance standards. Newly constructed restrooms and drinking fountain are situated on the property. This playground has been featured on RTV6 News Indianapolis and WCIA News Channel 3 Champaign and was part of a documentary produced by KOMPAN, filmed by a production crew from Denmark. Various newspaper and magazines have covered stories related to the project, as well as Parks and Recreation Business Magazine. The Covington City Park is 34-acres and includes trailhead for the Covington Circle Trail, a 5.2 mile paved trail encircling this community. The south leg of the trail was a former railway. The iron bridge crossing Mallory Branch in two sections was repurposed in the county and serves historic purposes. Other park amenities: public pool, basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, disc golf course, pavilions/shelters, batting cages, softball/baseball fields, small commercial-grade playground, historic cabin. Numerous league sports are played seasonally and the park is open 365 days a year. The Covington City Park has plenty of open green space and has dog waste units in numerous locations throughout the park. City of Covington Leash Law pertains to this space. Splash Pad is currently operating on a 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM daily schedule. Covington City Pool is closed for the 2020 season to reconstruct bathhouse. @covingtoncitypark on FB, IG.

This is an amazing park tucked away in a small suburb of Lafayette. It sits right in front of the…read morezoo and spans 40 acres. It is relatively well maintained and clean. There is tons of parking available, spread out between a couple of lots and some street parking. The park has lots of shelters with picnic tables under them and a grill just outside of them. I would say there are at least 18 of them that are available to be rented. The park also has a couple of shuffle boards that you can play and a loose picnic tables scattered on the grounds. The park is home to an amazing playground that has just about everything you would want in a playground. It's only negative is that it is on a bed of wood chips. The area is pretty large and divided into different areas for recommended age groups. There is a wide mix of equipment here including traditional and toddler swings, a saucer swing, sit-n-spins, slides, expression swings, and a teen area with a jungle gym that has a suspended pebble bridge and monkey rings. There is a huge jungle gym that sits a top a hill in the area that has a bunch of slides and some monkey bars. The equipment seems to be in pretty good repair and looks great, even though it is a bit older. You will find a share a book kiosk and a glider swing in the area as well. The park features a train depot that sits right across from the zoo entrance and it has an operational train that goes around the park. It was not running while I was there because it was out of season. I really liked the park's man-made lagoon that winds through it. It very picturesque and calming. It adds a nice touch to the park. They have a little pier on the lake where they do paddle boat rentals, in season. You will see little amphitheater at the park. It seems relatively new and is very nice. it has seating and a scenic little plaza area with picnic tables that over look the park's lagoon. There is also a trail, the Columbian Trail, that weaves in and around Columbian Park. It is well paved and has a very scenic view. What sets this park apart though is its veterans area. They have a large area, the Memorial Plaza, located along the water dedicated to memorials to veterans. They have the United Spanish War Memorial, Gold Star Family Memorial, Medal of Honor Memorial, Purple Heart Memorial, and the Vietnam Memorial. There is also a bunch of flag waving from flags poles over there and a Howitzer gun on display. You will also see the Tippecanoe County Veterans Memorial, which is the oldest memorial in the park, dating back to 1949. I did not see a bathroom facility dedicated to the park, but I was able to use the one attached to the Zoo's entrance. It was very nice and well maintained. Also located on the water is the Rush Pavilion which serves as a clubhouse that can be rented for special events. It can hold up to 50 people and includes access to a full service kitchen. The wrap around porch can hold an additional 100 people. This is a destination park that you can easily spend a half of day without even going to the zoo or amphitheater. It has everything that I look for in a park and more. It is very picturesque and I really enjoyed my time there. I also like, that they included salutes to veterans in their planning. I highly recommend checking this place out. It checks off all the boxes and will not disappoint.

Im actually sad this park is not closer to home for me. We enjoyed walking around the lake. They…read morehave paddle boats, an amphitheater, lots of picnic shelters and grills, and a small train. Plus playground equipment, a beautiful banquet hall, and a small zoo. My favorite part was the swinging benches. I'd be there all the time if I lived by this park.

Booked online a few hours before our arrival. The pictures looked nice and inviting. Didn't…read moredisappoint. What a nice welcome upon arrival. I think an owner, wife greeted us. Explained the rules. After that another camp worker, sweet friendly woman escorted us to our spot. I had ordered fire wood online but, when she was bringing us to our site, there was "extra" from the previous campers. Long day of driving ended with a nice relaxing late afternoon/evening. P.S. bonus-nice little gated, Clean dog run. Thank you so much for everything. What a great night. Dogs got exercise, bon fire, cold peanut butter stout. Cheers until next time. I'll be back!!

Great campground, Beautiful lake to walk around, level sites, clean facilities and a warm welcome…read more Its our 2nd stay while passing through.