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.

Independence Park is located smack dab in the middle of Central Street. It's not a bad location…read moresince there are several shops and restaurants here; I'm sure it's a nice place to stop and relax whilst in the midst of a shopping day. Independence Park has a playground and is not a bad size, particularly for its location. It's a popular space alright; there were lots of families and individuals there when I was across the street at Backlot Coffee. They may do halloween activities here--Central Street has trick-or-treating a week or so before the holiday. In fall 2022, they had a fall-themed selfie station set up outside with hay bales, corn stalks, gourds, and pumpkins, which I thought was kind of a cute idea even though I'm not sure everything needs to be an Instagram moment. There's a good deal of parking, though in parts of the neighborhood near housing it's possible the streets are permit; along Central, it's all pay parking using the Park Evanston app.

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!

My son had a birthday party at the LoVerde center and it was fantastic. The jungle gym was very…read moreclean and the birthday party room was huge. Staff did everything and were very nice. I highly recommend their parties.

I am very impressed with this Park District. Every person I have spoke to has been kind and…read moreknowledgeable. The staff has gone out of its way to help make sure we had the right time slots and explain what my kids will need on the first day. The teachers are also excellent. My kids are in the Karate and Ice Skating Classes and they are pleased as pie. What more can you ask for! Thank you for making the process painless and we look forward to seeing you every week!

We went on a sunny day last year and to my delight, there was plenty of shade. The park has several…read morebenches, a grassy area for picnic blankets, and two swing sets--one with two baby swings and one with two regular swings. There are no accessible swings here. A perk of this park is all of the wheeled sit-on toys, which we've been told live at the park. Kids can sit on the toys and roll down the itty bitty "hill". Near the swings is a small "sand" pit. The sand here is not beach sand; it's sand mixed with dirt, wood chips, and random sticks. There's one fixed four-seat table that'd fit adults and one table with seats for kids. Though the chairs look like they'd swivel, they do not. Free street parking isn't hard to find.

This is a nice little public park with a fantastic location and a nice and convenient parking lot…read more I've been here before with the kiddos as it's a pre-programmed and required stop at the well-equipped playground anytime they visit the Glenview Dairy Bar right across the street. It's also located behind the Glenview Public Library, and across the street also from Joe's Donuts and the Glenview Metra station. Today we enjoyed the park by watching a free and delightful 1 hour concert by the park's gazebo and performed by an eclectic Indian/Carribean group named Funkadesi. A plaque I saw said it's Glenview's oldest public park. The people we have encountered here are also all clean, courteous, and well behaved and the place epitomizes Glenview as the great community that it is.

Wonderful park with a lot of great slides in a very fun location and the kids love watching the…read moretrains go in and out

This park wasn't here when I was in grad school, it's a real improvement. Very well used by the…read morecommunity, in fact sometimes it's overwhelmed by peaceful but popular gatherings. When it's not too crowded and weather permitting it's perfect for lunch al fresco or even just a moment of peaceful coffee. It's Evanston so bring a reusable not disposable coffee cup so you don't get silent judgment.

Located in what must be the heart of downtown Evanston, there is seating to enjoy coffee or bubble…read moretea, a snack, or simply to take in the atmosphere and people watch.

This is a cute little semi-pocket park located in downtown Winnetka, a small town right outside of…read moredowntown Chicago. It spans 1.2 acres and features a nice a very nice playground area that is on a bed of wood chips. Some of the playground equipment includes a bank of traditional/toddler swings, a merry-go-round ring, a small with a slide, a large jungle gym with slides, a suspended pebble bridge, monkey bars and a couple of slides, and a tire swing. The equipment appeared relatively new and was in excellent shape. You will also find ping pong tables, a gazebo, corn hole boards, and a bike rack with a bike maintenance station here as well. There is a lot of seating at the in the park, around the play area and the park's paved walking paths. The park's green space is decent sized and suitable for picnics, playing catch, flying a kite, or other small field activities. It had a decorated Christmas tree in the area during my visit. The park appears well maintained and was in great shape. The park does not have any restrooms, so plan accordingly. There is however, street parking available along its perimeter and a parking lot within a reasonable walking distance from the park. The park seems relatively safe, even though there was a recent incident with kids discharging a soft-projectile weapon at the park. This may not be a destination park, but is a nice park to check out and spend some time at if you are in the area. It has a nice patch of green space, which is prime real estate in any downtown area, lots of seating, a water fountain, ample parking, many public transit options, and well maintained.

Beautiful clean park right in the downtown area. Convenient location for restaurants shopping and…read morecoffee! Drinking fountain in the park for the hot days! There's also plenty of seating and shade! There's also a place to work on your bikes if they break down.