This is a hidden gem for the city dwellers. Even though "Emily Oaks Nature Center" is surrounded…read moreby the residential area and one can hear the CTA trains passing back and forth, cloud and clear, it can still be considered as a mini "escape." In other words, it is a place to experience what mother nature has to offer, for both adults and kids. I would say the trail paths are kid-friendly and not too long for the little ones to explore. However, I think it is better to visit when daylight is available. Bike routes are separate from the walking path, so one doesn't have to watch out for bikers passing through. The Lakeview (or pond view) is serene. There are a few benches to sit down and enjoy the scenery. I see they have camp fires and other activities from time to time. I bet these are fun, as weather permits. In the beginning of the trail, a small scaled playground definitely can pull your kiddos away to release their energy. Parking is plenty and convenient. I think "Emily Oaks Nature Center" is going to be a re-visit for our family this summer.

If you can ignore the sounds of the Skokie Swift and passing traffic just outside the northern and…read morewestern boundaries of the nature preserve, Emily Oaks is a darling little slice of woods and lagoon tucked into a residential neighborhood of Skokie. They host camps here during the summer months, so you'll find chalk drawings on some of the paths and signs on some of the trees around that time, but it doesn't really detract from the atmosphere. (This is where my sibling and I learned to canoe and build campfires back in the day.) Chipmunks and geese abound; be sure to also check out the fish in the lagoon. They have shelters with picnic tables scattered throughout the preserve, so this is a peaceful place for a picnic lunch when camp's not in session. Just remember to leave the area as clean as you found it... and don't try starting any campfires without permission.

An excellent playground "floor is lava" themed, shade, street parking, picnic tables and restrooms…read more Baseball field, splash pad, and tennis courts. Really impressed by the renovations to this park, and it's one that the kiddies will love!

This is our closest playground. The park is very large and holds many events during "normal" times…read more The playground is large and has something for everyone. That being said, the playground needs some TLC. There is a group of equipment that is rusting and seems forgotten about. There is grass poking through the rubber padding. I understand maintenance may not be up to date due to COVID right now, but that rusty equipment scares me as a parent. It still is a nice place though. One other note- The kids at this playground were awesome. They were all playing nicely together and even invited my newly minted 2 year old to play The Floor Is Lava with them. I did not find that at Lovelace Park.

Nice neighborhood playground with swings, basketball court and grassy field. Dogs are allowed on a…read moreleash and street parking available. Several benches by the playground with a walking path around the entire park.

Beautiful park in Evanston. I like that they have the small children's and big children's…read moreplaygrounds separated. There's plenty of parking available. There's a large pond for fishing and there are ducks roaming around. The shelter space is very large covered with seating available too.

I grew up down the street. It was a sand and gravel pit, then became the town dump. In the 50's…read morethere was a movement to preserve it as a bird sanctuary , but that diden't take. In 1980 finally constuction was complete, and always ongoing . Absolute beauty , along the lines of a botanical garden,The picnic grove was established in 1929, and has beautifull rolling hills!

Love this forest preserve! Last time I was there I saw three baby deer. Awwwww…read more Good walking trail though it doesn't connect in an easy way...you'll need to stop and turn back in the same path you just walked. It's a lovely path though! There are nice spots for feeding the ducks, cute areas for picnics and an overabundance of parking!

Lots of people out enjoying the weather walking, running, biking, roller blading and picnicking…read more Almost 11,000 steps and 4.8 miles (so far)

This is my favorite park to spend a day at with the Kids. Located RIGHT off the Dempster exit from…read morethe Edens. Although they recently did some work to the place and cut down a LARGE shade tree that would make the park 90% in the shade....they did plant a new one, so hopefully in years to come, the shading will be back for my grandkids. Great park, with nice play structured. All sand, so bring the sand toys. They have picnic benches through out the park and some very close to the play area. Shaded basketball half courts, tennis courts, and a baseball diamond. I love that there are no "campers" that over run the park during the summer like at chicago park districts. We usually pack a lunch and stay for most of the day. Grassy areas to play it as well. Only downfall is that the only bathrooms are a portapotty- BUT, it is actually decent and is cleaned out every couple days according to the check list in the porta potty. Never really gross or anything...so yeah for that. I took off the star, because like I said earlier, they just cut down some trees and did some work, that made it more exposed to the sun and hotter to play in....but still shaded more than most other parks.

I keep finding myself back to this park ever since high school. They have plenty of outdoor…read moreactivities like basketball, sand volleyball, pickleball/tennis, and baseball. Big area to picnic with bathrooms. The lights stay on until about 11 pm during the summer/fall. They also have a waterpark. Great park for all ages. No issues with parking.

This review is for the pool. I grew up going to this pool every summer. I recently went here for…read morethe first time as an adult to bring my own child. It looks exactly the same and they have managed to keep it in good condition. It's nothing fancy but it's clean and well kept. I love that they have two kid pools, one with a bunch of fountains and that connects to slides and another that is more basic/quieter. There was plenty of seating and lots of staff/lifeguards around. They do adult swim for the last 10 min of each hour. One less star because it is very expensive for non-residents ($18 per person). My infant was free, thank goodness. I guess if I think about it that is about the cost of a movie ticket. Anyways, I will probably not be going as often as I would like because of the cost.