Visited here for a class. The building is new and nicely appointed, however parking is tough…read more Friendly staff but the gyms are somewhat crowded with classes that you have to walk through to get to yours sometimes. Nice walking track but somewhat monotonous as it's 15 laps to a mile - it can get old fast unless there's an interesting game going on on the basketball court below. Clean and bright. Not sure how busy the fitness equipment gets since I haven't been in that space but I did see lots of people headed that way so it seems large enough. Nice addition to Oak Park if you live or work nearby.

Full disclosure, I've only used the gym, walking path, and fitness center at the Oak Park CRC. (I…read moreuse the fitness center most of all.) They've recently added machines to the fitness center which, while adds to the variety, also minimizes the space. There fitness center is quite small, clean, and has 3 sanitizing stations to spray down the equipment. There is also an attendee, or two, at the front entrance, and a couple of (muted) TVs. Unlike a conventional fitness center, there is no music played, so headphones are encouraged, and they don't have AC or fans. There are also small lockers available. The walking path is exactly as it sounds. It's a clean walking path, with a few lanes, and a large clock so you can keep track of time. There is also a sanitizing station there, a couple of mats (for stretching), and a punching bag. It smells a bit like rubber, but that's due to the path itself. The gym is divided into 2 spaces. It's a pretty standard gym offering volleyball, basketball, pickleball, open gym, etc. (There are schedules to notify you of what is available.) If you're looking for a typical fitness center experience, this is not the place for you. You should not expect it to compete with, or compare it to, Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, Xsport, etc. It's a community recreation center. I've found that my experience varies depending on how many people are there and, more specifically, on what machines. As I stated, space is limited in the fitness center. I wish they did have a few mounted fans, or AC, to move some air around.

We went to the Forest Park Aquatic Center on Memorial Day. It was wonderful…read more We went to Brookfield Zoo first, which is about a 13 minute drive from here. The pool was open from noon-5pm (it was opening day, I don't believe those are standard hours). We bought tickets online in the morning before going, which was a good idea because there was an incredibly long and slow line to purchase tickets. It was $15 per person. They have changing rooms, including showers with soap. They have a reasonably priced concession stand (no outside food allowed). There was a gigantic pool with multiple sections, including a zero depth entry section, 2 lap lanes, a 12 foot diving pool with diving pool and 2 drop slides. 2 medium large water slides. There was also a huge splash pad including a set of little kid water slides and a water bucket that dumps water on people. The life guards were great. We had a great time!

We attended an after-hours fundraiser at the Forest Park pool tonight, the annual Duck Splash,…read morewhich benefits the local special recreation program, WSSRA. We were very impressed by all of the lifeguards tonight. They were very pleasant and attentive and kept a close watch on the action. The pool has 2 slide areas, a kids section, lap lanes, diving well, and free play space. Grassy area and lounge chairs. My teen enjoyed the concession stand- soft serve ice cream and funnel cakes! I like how they enforce the "no food on deck" and "no shoes on deck" rules. Points off as the parking is absolutely bonkers. There were other sporting events happening tonight, plus just folks in the park, so there was no available parking. We parked in the farthest lot, which seems like a full 2-3 blocks from the entrance, and with 1-way lanes it took us super long to get everyone in and out of the event. Also, the locker rooms were outdated and did not smell the best.

Great place and the staff and instructors are super friendly and wonderful to interact with…read more However can't say the same about Coach Bernadette. She's just not a friendly person and disappointed with my experience with her.

My daughter takes Gymnastics here during the fall. Overall she enjoys it and always looks forward…read moreto going. The coaches/staff members are very good with the kids and keep them engaged from beginning to end. The gym is clean and organized. It's one big gym, so they have different age groups and skill level groups all practicing at the same time, but they keep things moving so no class collides with another. Prices for the classes are pretty typical in cost and the classes, especially weekends do fill up very quickly. When registration opens it's wise to sign up that day, because putting it off could possibly leave you with a "class filled." If there is one thing they need to address and rectify it's the horrid smell of feet that reeks from the gymnasium when the door is opened. I mean I get this is a gymnastics gym and all of the 50 plus people in one area at the same time are shoe less, BUT that does not mean it should smell as it does! I mean they seriously need to invest in some commercial deodorizers or something! Where you have large dispensers on automatic spray timers because every time they open that door to the gymnasium my nose threatens to leave me!!

I only had kids in recreational programs here, so I can't comment on the competitive ones…read more My girls started here with the parent and toy program before covid. From there they took one mini stats class before the shut down. Then we were on pause for some time and we found our way back after the dust settled about two years ago. Ever since then it hasn't been the same. Whether it is a feeling with some coaches that (he) only has time to work with those who might be potential competitors, to very repetitive and non- progressive skills over months of time, it got to be very discouraging for the girls. Add to that an insane and chaotic parking situation and I'm out. Literally every week, entitled people would block all traffic in the back so they could walk their special snowflake inside the building instead of parking like the rest of us. Others would drive the wrong way on a clearly marked one way path. By the time you got to the exit and had to make a blind left turn onto Circle, you need a drink.

High-quality, competitive gymnastics gym with a focus on technique. Our 5-year-old has two classes…read morehere, and he loves it. There is/was open gym for like $5.00. It was a great way for him to expend energy in a unique setting. Unfortunately we'll be moving soon so we won't be able to consistently patronize this gym. Highly recommended, especially if you are close geographically.

Skokie Lagoons is huge! Biking, hiking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing- it has it all. I had no idea…read morethis place existed, but I'm so glad to have been introduced to it. Was here recently to rent kayaks and it was great. Chicago Kayak and Canoe rental company sets up camp, and it was very busy with school groups and families on a recent beautiful September 2016 Chicago weekend. Kayaking the Lagoons you're bound to see cranes, heron, a few other people kayaking, and get lost in nature. From time to time there is algae on the water and it can be smelly. We went right into a cove of algae where nobody else was going, and it felt like something out of the movie Adaptation. I was jealous of all the fishing going on, and hope to be back for that. It's only 5 miles from Chicago Botanic Gardens, so if you park here you can bike on in for free, and have an easy short ride. A lot of people reviewing Skokie Lagoons complain about the trash, and how people leave lunch garbage and bottles laying around. To me that's not a reflection of the place itself- do your part- pick up some trash before you leave, or pull a bottle or two out of the water. Or just stay away, because I'll be back, and the less people the better!

Great place for hiking. Not too crowded and not far from home for me. Lol. Will definitely visit…read moreagain.

I signed my kiddo up here for sports camp and couldn't be any happier. The facility itself is so…read morewell kept and the building is practically brand spanking new. They have an inside soccer field, which my son loved. The staff is also great with the kids and the lunch is provided in the fee. They also have an indoor walking track for the public to use, you just have sign in. Though I'm not a Melrose Park resident, I definitely intend on returning to try the other programs offered.

I really like that the park district allows the facility to be used by the residents. They host a…read moreton events that are geared towards educating and nurturing the residents.