Had a pretty great time walking around this small park that people don't know enough about. It…read moreactually has quite a few things around if you're looking to hang and chill. Lawson Park is one of the hidden spots in Evanston. A thing that really isn't bad. There's a playground and some cool spots. Coming here isn't exactly convenient if not having a car. It's located along the lake. This is also in a residential area so there's not much going on. More like this is a place for those who live around it. The great thing about it is it's usually pretty quiet. Among the amenities is a playground with modern equipment. There's also an opening to the lake to go hang out and relax. Getting here is probably the worst thing about it. It's located by the lake on Sheridan. There's not much else that's around but it's still pretty chill so whatever.

Insider tip: If you follow the faint path down the little hill behind the park, it leads you to the…read morepirate's entrance for Lighthouse Beach. I call it 'pirate's entrance' because technically, you are trespassing a tad when you use it, but if you just want to dip your feet in the water for a second and not pay the $8 per person entry fee at the main beach entrance, this is how you get there. Enter at your own risk though... I can't be held responsible for any possible charges brought upon you, should you get caught. Other than the bootleg beach entrance, this park is pretty rockin'. There's a solid roofed area with picnic benches that you can rent out for parties, also a large field to just lay in, picnic, or set up a soccer game or whatever kind of sport that the kids are into these days and can be played on grassy turf. There's also a bike rack, and some nice, quiet benches just off a bit from this really swank playground that you should totally take your kids to. They'll love it. You know how I know that? Because I loved it and the thing that would have made me love it more would be if I were smaller and actually fit better going through the equipment, which includes a tire swing, kiddie swings, multiple safety slides right next to each other so you can race, a really nice and spacious jungle gym, a cute tented area that kids can put there heads through and look like they have the body of a knight or princess, a little faux stage to put on a puppet show, a red convertable race car, a motorcycle, a little yellow plane and it's all on that squishy, rubber safety ground so it's cushy, no splinters and probably a lot less skinned knees and bruises.

This is a peaceful area close to the Morton Grove Metra Station. I've come here during lunch and…read moreI've seen deer here sometimes, but mostly it's just people in their cars. It's beautiful in the fall with the colorful leaves, but I've never ventured out into the woods. Stop here for a little forest bathing, there's plenty of room, and its so green.

Came here for a birthday party for my friends' son last summer. It's a great area, and they had…read morereserved a pavilion so we had a lot of space. The pavilions also seem to be spaced out enough that you're not right on top of another group. My one complaint was parking: there was a verrrrrry large group a few pavilions down, and because there was so many people their parking spilled into the space for our pavilion, so we had to park a ways down. I get that it's all open parking, so not really anyone's fault, but it was pretty hard to find parking. The pavilions are good size, and had plenty of table space and seating (plus room for some games). There was also plenty of 'lawn space' around for people that wanted to be out in the sun. Porta potties were the only bathrooms I saw, and depending on which pavilion you were at it could be bit of a hike to them. Overall, not a bad place to have a larger gathering.

Centennial Park is part of the larger Park District compound (Centennial Fitness Center, Centennial…read moreActivity Center, and a swimming pool). The park is a nice one with soft rubber flooring. There are swings, which is about as far as we got since my daughter is a fan, but they also had some big playground equipment for older kids. Not sure if there's anything for the smaller children besides the swings. If I had a suggestion to make, it would be that there be a fence around the playground as there is in Chicago parks. Just an added level of safety for the little ones, since the road isn't super far away and of course there's a parking lot and if you have a runner, they can get away from you quickly.

Today it rained and lightning so unless you have a season pass you are asked to leave and once you…read morepass a certain point you can't make re entry if the weather clears up. Nice pool usually always get a seat poolside

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.

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.

Roosevelt Park is a quite nice park tucked away in a residential section of Glenview. Its best…read morefeature for us, currently anyway, is it has a big open and well manicured field that can accommodate 4 full youth softball fields. The park is surrounded by residential streets and except for a small parking lot near the swimming pool, it's all otherwise street parking for visitors, so it can get crowded if you're not a slight bit early for an event. They do also have a swimming pool as mentioned, 3 tennis courts, and a field house. Great asset for Glenview families and activities!

There's nothing not to like about this park! Truly amazing place for gathering, tennis play or some…read morechill out. Very clean and calm. Always kept nice and tidy. There is some basketball court, tennis or huge pool. It is up to you and your daily mood. Playground for kids is also amazing with very interesting jungle gym addition:) Anyway you will enjoy if you are nature lover like me

Linne Woods was a well needed breath of fresh air for me the morning I conducted my run at this…read morepark. I am no stranger to it because it sits near an agency that I work for, so I am off-and-on in the area. And not that long ago one of my direct care clients celebrated his birthday at this park which gave me the chance to feel the vibe of it. My solo visit to Linne Woods came after having no interest in running the ever so congested Chicago Lakefront Trail. At the time, it was marathon training season with many runners out training for their fall and even winter marathons. And not to mention other individuals out on the trail whether it be biking, walking, skating, or even at the beaches which I just did not have the tolerance for at the time. In comparison to Chicago Lakefront Trail, Linne Woods appeared very peaceful which was exactly the vibe I had yearned for. It appears to be the ideal place to conduct large gatherings, or even picnics; and its large field is perfect for a number of recreational activities you can partake in. The area is a well-maintained space, consisting of picnic tables with shelter and benches within, and there are even restrooms within if it becomes your pit stop while on the trail or during whichever activity you are engaging in. And not to mention, there are waste and recycling bins throughout this area. Linne Woods is also accessible to the ever so lovely and maintained paved and unpaved North Branch Trail where it is easy to feel that sense of being engulfed in with nature and the beauty of it! I could not help but enjoy the beautiful sounds of birds chirping, the chipmunks or squirrels running either across my run route, or through the litter of dry leaves. It also kept me in the moment whether it be startled because of the noise, or the visual of those cute critters which put a smile on my face. Along with sounds of wildlife, I cannot ever forget the close encounter I had with deer as I embarked on my run route on this Chicagoland trail which took me up to Skokie Lagoons. Overall, I had a very pleasant experience at Linne Woods, as indicated in this review and would definitely return. It has become my preferred spot where I can enjoy my long runs in peace, as well as nature. ~Gonna run 'til I don't jiggle. ~ Thomas G

A wonderful site for outdoor strolling and enjoying nature. Had some very close and counters with…read moredeer which was truly amazing. My girlfriend loves animals and she couldn't have been happier that day. There are many trails to choose from or you can just walk on the road as well. You can even make your own path through the woods if you are adventurous! There are also picnic tables trash cans and bathrooms if you just want to enjoy a picnic.

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.