Parks like Busch Grove make me proud to be from Buffalo Grove…read more First, the park serves largely as a nature preserve. Trees, grasses, streams, and a pond are home to ducks, beavers, muskrats, and a colorful assortment of wildflowers. An asphalt trail circles through the preserve and on any sunny day you see families biking and rollerblading. To the side of the trail are signs highlighting various plants and animals you may see on your walk. On the east end, near Buffalo Grove Road, there is a skate park and roller/ice hockey rink. The hockey rink is busy year round and the skate park is very popular as soon as it warms up. Finally, the park is easily accessible from Willow Stream Park via the overpass over McHenry Road. Kids can safely get from the pool at Willow Stream to the skate park in Busch Grove.

My husband and I met a friend at Century Park Arboretum to get some exercise. I really like this…read morePark. There are several nice waking paths around the park. The park also has a lake you fish at, exercise equipment along the waking path, a playground, and a picnic shelter with picnic tables and bathrooms. I highly recommend Century Park Arboretum!

A nice, clean park for people of all ages to either exercise, take a leisurely stroll, do…read morerecreational activities like fishing, picnic or just chill (or all of the above :-) ). I enjoy going here for walks and jogs. I forget how long of a trail it is for walking/ jogging/ bicycling purposes but either way, it is enjoyable. They have BBQ grills and picnic areas, benches, fields for baseball and soccer, a basketball court and some complimentary exercising (gym) equipment for anyone who would like to use it. The park has easy (multiple) access points and although, certain parking areas can get busy during nice weather days, you have other parking options nearby. There are multiple restroom areas in the park. Pets (dogs to be exact) are allowed for a walk. You get pretty views of sunsets from here over the small lake that's there as the area is scenic. I go here occasionally for either exercising or just to get my mind of things as I find this place relaxing and chill. Check this park out if you haven't been here before. It's worth the visit.

I recently attended this park for a pickleball event but I am here to express my appreciation for…read morethis beautiful public park. Several years ago I took tennis lessons here. I also took taekwondo lessons (outside) here and I used to drop a family member at the ice arena for ice skating lessons. In winter, the sledding hill is a fun way to enjoy some outdoor activity. The children's play area looks well maintained. The accessible all gender restrooms are clean and in order. This is a beautiful park to watch sports, participate in sports, or enjoy the great outdoors.

This park has really blossomed over the years with a lot of activities. We only explored the…read moreplaygrounds on this visit, which were really nicely spread out. The playgrounds were fenced in and had soft cushioned surfaces. There was plenty of seating nearby too. By the playgrounds were tennis courts, pickleball courts and a basketball court. The park is just missing permanent bathrooms and a refillable water bottle station. The rest of the park has a frisbee golf course, ball fields, soccer fields, ice skating rink, sledding hill and plenty of parking.

Can you believe it's December and it's so beautiful? A lovely day to walk the paths at Openlands…read moreand/or walk down by the lake. People, dogs, families walking, jogging, strolling and taking in the view.

Managed by Lake County Forest Preserves since August 2023, this 72-acre area (formerly part of Fort…read moreSheridan) has a unique blend of ravines, bluffs, and a lakefront in Highland Park, 25 miles north of Chicago. This is close to Fort Sheridan and the cemetery. I love the paved trails, which are Ada accessible with minimal disturbance to nature. The art installations offer additional meditation subjects with a mix of science, poetry, and wonder. The qr code links did not work. My first introduction was a ravine with concrete sidewalks, mighty oak trees, and a complex root system slowing the erosion of the sides. Art installations do pique the imagination of visitors. Wood sidewalks and bridges lead to additional ravines, bluffs, and lakefront. I spotted a great horned owl silently sweeping across the canopy of trees. Four white tailed deer were nibbling on their grassy lunches. Red winged black birds were singing sporadically. I passed a tree with the bark rubbed off as evidence a deer came by to rub its antlers. I also saw several round holes on the lower trunks of the tree. It was evidence of a possible woodpecker looking for grubs. I spotted wood ear mushrooms growing on the side of a tree. Thousands of migrating birds visit the preserve each year. Listen to the audio guides for the nature and art installations. https://openlands.org/projects/openlands-lakeshore-preserve/ Main Parking 24256 N Patten Road, Highwood, IL 60040 South Parking 2789 Oak Street, Highland Park, IL 60035

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.

Big park in Lake Bluff. It has a lot of ballfields, but it's also a nice place for just hanging…read moreout. Artesian Park is located conveniently in the main business area. Lots of restaurants and shops not far. The park also has other amenities like a playground. A main centerpiece of the downtown area. It's most notable for being the home of several youth leagues. There's a baseball diamond as well as tennis courts and more. Also has a few bathrooms. In winter they put in an ice rink. Children also have a playground with modern equipment. This is also the site of various community events and gatherings. Great park that feels safe and has plenty for anyone. It's located conveniently close to the Metra station and many local businesses. The park also has more than sports facilities such as a playground and some picnic tables.

Artisan Park is a very pretty park with a number of sports fields, bathrooms and tables. It's also…read morean easy walk from here to the downtown Lake Bluff area, so one can easily get a snack after hanging out at the park. However, the real secret is Ravine Park, which is only a couple of blocks away (and oddly, has no Yelp page.) That park is a beautiful reinvention of a ravine as a nature path.

I was a chaperone for a 4th grade field trip here, and I must say, I was very impressed by the…read morestaff's patience with the kids. The team building games were excellent, and the kids enjoyed exploring the "playground". These trails are absolutely gorgeous, and I plan on returning with my own child! My only concern is that the fish tank is far too small for the amount, and the types of fish. I would expect more from a nature center that is promoting more knowledge about wildlife and nature. These fish were very clearly distressed and the biggest one was nipping at the smaller ones, tearing holes in its fins. Hopefully this is addressed soon.

Really a wonderful place, with several trails to follow to see different types of trees and plant…read morelife. There's an indoor exhibit of a large fish tank plus a mini-learning center with information about birds and plants. A large showroom exhibits paintings on the walls of very talented local artists. The staff is very friendly and helpful, the building is very clean and there is adequate parking. I personally think that the Fall season is the best time to visit here. Highly recommended.

Please don't go here because I want this place all to myself. This is a beautiful area to take…read morepictures and there is plenty of parking. There was a very nice restroom on a trailer the day I went.

A hidden gem. It was a great setting to unwind a little with the family. The water was clear, it…read morewas nice, cool and breezy. The kids loved it.