A humble little park, tucked away within the Glenbrook Countryside subdivision, the Glenbrook…read moreCountryside Park packs a lot of amenities in a tiny 1.7 acres. There's parking all along the westbound edge of Oakwood Rd., which can accommodate plenty of vehicles. Trails run the length of the park, starting on the east end near the half basketball court, past the baseball & softball diamond (with backstop and stands), splits around the cushioned play area (featuring some nice playground equipment), past the drinking fountain, along a small picnic area, and off to the exit on Walnut Circle. The grounds are well-maintained, it drains very well so there ground is almost never soggy, the trails are very evenly paved, and all of the equipment is in excellent condition. Other than the lights from neighbors, there are no lights, so you had best get your playtime in before sunset. Because of how well this park is maintained, and because of the excellent drainage, it's one of the better parks to escape mosquitoes during most of the summer season (though they can still buzz in from a distance). If you ever find yourself in the Glenbrook Countryside subdivision, I recommend spending a little time relaxing at the Glenbrook Countryside Park - one of the nice hidden gems of the neighborhood.

I recently spent some time at Deerpath Park, and it turned out to be a great place to enjoy the…read moreoutdoors. One of the best things about this park is how much it has to offer in one location. There are multiple walking trails that are perfect for getting some exercise or just enjoying a relaxing walk, and it's conveniently located near plenty of stores if you need to grab something before or after your visit. The park has something for everyone, including baseball fields, basketball courts, volleyball courts, soccer fields, and two playgrounds for kids. There's also a nice pavilion with restrooms, making it a great place for family gatherings, picnics, or spending the afternoon outside. Everything was clean and well maintained, and there was plenty of space to spread out without feeling crowded. Whether you're looking to play sports, go for a walk, or simply enjoy a nice park, Deerpath Park is a fantastic place to visit. I'll definitely be coming back.

A nice place to go for a stroll or a jog. The park is family friendly, peaceful, serene and clean…read more There's also a newly built kid's playground park with fun things to do for them. It's a well maintained place.

On my way to the nursery nearby, I noticed this little hole-in-the-wall, blink-and-you'll-miss-it…read morepark and nature preserve in Wilmette. When I say you'll miss it, I'm not kidding--I thought it was a random, very small parking lot (maybe an extension of the business next door) but then saw a small gate to the park. Keay is a 4.6 acre nature preserve. (It is not part of the Cook County Forest Preserve system.) There are various trails that loop through the park and it's about a half mile, very easy walk. They have trail guides at the entrance, and according to that they suggest it would be about 30 minutes to walk through. I probably did take about that long, but that is because I stopped to look at some birds, and at a lot of the memorial plaques, and read the trail guide at some of the markers along the way. And I also took the advice of the trail guide and sat down for a few minutes to just listen to the sounds around me--mostly birdsong, and simply appreciate my surroundings. But if I hadn't been going through slowly I think it would be 10 minutes or so. I have absolutely no sense of measurement or distance, but was I'm surprised to learn that it's about a half mile walk. I'd think it was much less. I would call this nature preserve pretty accessible, though that's not really my place to say since I would not need accommodations. However, it's a flat trail and there is a bridge over the pond. There are numerous benches throughout the preserve if you need a break or would like to pause and enjoy the atmosphere. It's really surprising how much you feel like you're out in the middle of nowhere--I didn't hear a lot of traffic and but for the service roads a quiet peaceful way to spend part of your day. There is a port-a-potty on site if needed, and a drinking fountain as well.

Lovely and peaceful park with clean even trails and a lake with a waterfall. Lots of bushes and…read moretrees, with plenty of squirrels, rabbits and even big turtles.

I've seen so many deer in these woods. The last time I walked here, I passed by five of them. I…read moreusually see at least one. And once I even spotted a doe with her two fawns out grazing. (Please don't feed the deer, as the signs say, because you could inadvertently give them something that harms their system.) The bicyclists can be a real hazard here, so keep your eyes peeled for them, too, if you're walking or running. There's really only one trail at this forest preserve, with the exception of a few short paths off to the side here and there that lead nowhere. But it's got charming views of forest, river and a patch of prairie at the edge of the preserve near Waukegan. There's ample parking and a shelter with picnic tables by the parking lot. The deer will sometimes graze right alongside the parking lot - they're pretty habituated - so if you're lucky, you may spot one before you even make it into the woods.

Walk here on a weekly basis in the spring, summer & fall months. Miami Woods is a lovely slice of…read morenature. The trees illustrate beauty and quiet. I enjoy my walks.

Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve offers a nice place for a relaxing 1.9 mile hike. There is an option…read moreto go farther by following the various offshoot paths. Parking is very limited off of Old Hicks Road but there are not many people going onto the path so you should be fine. There is a varied turf combination of paved and gravel. The path is pretty even, smooth, well kept and good for all ages We saw what seemed to be a grasshopper migration (9/21/25). We stopped counting after 25! However we did count 7 furry caterpillars crossing the path. There were many species of prairie willow, berry trees, cat tails and a few wild mushrooms too. Lake County is offering a hiking challenge over the next couple months and it's a fun way to see all that Lake County Forest Preserves has to offer!

The Buffle Creek Forest Preserve is a good place for an easy walk. The day we were there we had no…read moreissue with parking, but it was not crowded. It is mainly an open prairie with low growing plants and few trees. The walking path winds through wide-open restored prairies and some creeks. I can imagine in the summer it get hot since there is very little covering to offer shade.

A somewhat-hidden gem of a park, Keller Park is tucked away behind several homes on Pine St., and…read moreoffers several nice amenities. McLean Rohn Playground is on the south end of the park, near the Laurel Ave. entrance. It features a nice assortment of playground equipment for kids of all ages, and plenty of places to sit and supervise. There is plenty of open grounds to play upon, and all of the grass is well maintained. Along much of the length is a small disc golf course, which parallels the paved path, and continues over the river into Shepard Park. The small steel bridge that connects the two parks, over the river, has some nice views of the wildflowers and plants on the bank of the river. On a nice still day, the lull of the babbling water is very soothing. Because it's so close to several schools and day care centers, there are often lots of kids playing there during the daytime; if you plan of a round of disc golf, avoid times when the schools are getting out in the afternoon. Parking is limited at the various entrances, but you can park at Shepard Park, and cross the bridge over. The bathrooms are also at Shepherd park.

This is a relatively peaceful place for hiking and biking. But it's a little hilly for an Illinois…read moreforest preserve, so wear appropriate footwear (I learned that the hard way). I've seen people getting professional photos taken with these woods as a backdrop, and it's a good setting for that. There's an expanse of grass between the woods and the parking lot where you can sit, have a picnic, whatever. The paved trail runs up the hill and onto the bridge over Lake St. to the north or towards Old Orchard to the south. As you move south, the forest preserves get a bit busy, so I prefer to head north from here. Just to the west of the main trail, there's a gravel path that tacks off to one side and is a little quieter, if that's what you're looking for. You won't lose sight of civilization completely, but you'll get a breather from the steady flow of bike traffic on the main trail that way.

07/03/20 - Yet another part of the extensive trails that make up part of the vast Forest Preserve…read moreNorth Branch trails. These start East of me by the Chicago Park district on Foster Ave & go West through Labaugh Woods off of Cicero Ave (5 houses East of me) through Forest Glen Woods (2 Blocks west of me) the turns north all the way to the Chicago Botanical Gardens. These trails are awesome as they provide people a little respite from urban life literally right in their backyards. People especially now that the weather is warmer come out for walks, running, roller blading & biking along the trails. My sister and I are both on a mission to not only get exercise, but see our own natural beauty our forest preserves provide & at the same time shed some pounds. The amount we have been walking you see all sorts of wild life, everything from deer, Blue herons, snapping turtles, chipmunks scouting around, squirrels, raccoons, hawks, redwing blackbirds, cardinals (no Cubs though bummer), blue jays even a fox. Today we walked from the Blue Star Memorial Woods to the south end of The Skokie Lagoon & back about 6.3 miles.

I had a great time at Dam No. 1 Woods East Forest Preserve. One of the highlights is the biking…read moretrails, which are well maintained and fun to ride. Whether you're looking for a relaxing ride or just want to spend some time outdoors, this is a great place to explore. The preserve is clean, peaceful, and surrounded by beautiful scenery. There are plenty of trees, open spaces, and wildlife, making it a great escape from the busy city. The trails are wide and easy to follow, and they're perfect for biking, walking, or simply enjoying nature. Overall, this is an excellent forest preserve with great biking trails and a relaxing atmosphere. I'll definitely be coming back for another ride.

Has a nice walking trail but if you make it a loop, it is on pavement for the other half. You get…read moreto see a few different habitats when you walk on this well kept trail! They have picnic tables and plenty of parking. Two main entrances for trails