Big park with a lot going on in and around. Dawes Park is one of the best things about Evanston. It…read morehas lots of facilities and green space. Can spend a few hours just chilling. There's also events and programs. A popular thing here is the beach. It's a park right next to the lake so of course it would have one. This isn't that good of one but the area is beautiful and there's some great views. Be sure to go to the pond in the middle. Seems to be the main centerpiece of the park. It also has a fountain. There's of course lots of athletic fields including for soccer. Also plenty of walking paths so you can get exercise. There's a snack window by the beach so you can get things like ice cream and junk. For sure it's a great place when the weather is warmer and you can hang around. It's located by the lake. There's lots of programs for children and families such as music and theater.

I recently walked through a variety of parks in Evanston and I think Dawes was my favorite. It's…read morealong the lakefront and provides access to the beach and amazing views. But there's also a gorgeous water fountain and seating to enjoy both the water and the park. Not to mention all the squirrels, ducks, and dogs everywhere. There was just a hustle and bustle from all creatures with this great park as a backdrop.

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!

Merrick Rose Garden is a lovingly manicured garden tucked away in a neighborhood in Evanston. I've…read moredriven in and around this area for years--literally over a decade--and never knew it was here. But a block from Ridge, you'll stumble upon a very peaceful place. It would be a gorgeous location for a special event. As I was walking around it and taking in the garden, I was actually imagining just how a wedding could be set up in the sunken portion of the garden. Around the garden are many benches around the outer perimeter, both stone benches and wooden benches for visitors. Like many rose gardens, there are some other flowers here as well. There's also a large fountain, the Centennial Fountain, on the southern edge of the garden. It would be nice to have a celebration at this garden, but I would be happy to simply visit and enjoy the sights and sounds. This isn't a park to play in; it specifically says you aren't to bring balls to play with so it was truly designed as a contemplative place to be appreciated for its beauty. The only parking here is street, and it has some restrictions at times, so pay attention.

It's important each day after fighting stress or being swarmed in a sea of mediocrity to find…read moreislands of calm and beauty. The park is tucked a couple blocks from bustling Evanston down town surrounded by stately mansions, and old large apartment complexes. It's a stones throw distance of NU and the screaming serpentine L. It is smallish and well appointed. I can't think of anything finer than sitting there with my dog and a tea watching the sunset and moon rise. Reading there on a sunny day, a mystery or gothic novel by the roses isn't too shabby either.

Used to run the Softball field with LO$. They got ice skating in the winter. Farmers market…read more sometimes they do a haunted house as well. Couple Basketball courts to shoot the rock.

The Zumba Gold Class at Ridgeville Park District in Evanston held on Friday mornings at 10am is…read moreuser friendly for Seniors in all physical conditions! Because the teacher has her own physical challenges she is very patient and encourages the students to participate even if it means sitting in a chair. I was surprised to be sweating while sitting in a chair and I felt great after the class because of such a sense of accomplishment. Anna Christina Nelson

Not a business, it's a park on the beach. Most people don't realize it's here. One of the many…read morereasons it's so great.

Loyola is another beautiful park near some ocean breeze. It was a spot made in heaven to kick it at…read morewith my girl. Lots of families with their pets and all. Good spot to workout near the water. Not a lot of parking, so get here the best way you can if you are driving here.

I have been here many times. This time I decided to smoke a cigar and sit on the shore rocks. You…read morecan see the Chicago skyline long in the distance. There are really nice homes that are huge in this area almost reminds me of Kevin McAllister's home from, "Home Alone." The Park has plenty of benches and also a jogging path along the walkway. The only con about this place is that you need to be really careful walking in the grass because dog poop here are like land mines! *Kaboom*

#magic I love it here!…read moreMiles of biking, running or walking paths. Beautiful beach to run through the waves. A nice park to lay on a blanket. A hop, skip and jump to Northwestern. Watch the sunrise and a full moon come up over the water. My favorite meditation spot.

Man haven't been here since I was a kid back in the 80's. I forgot the place existed. I thought My…read moretrashnore didn't exist and was just a name of a hill I used to sled on. Can't wait to come back when it's snowing and bring my kids

A great big hill in the neighborhood. Convenient. The only bad thing is when the snow is used over…read moreand over walking up the hill can be dangerous for kids. It would be nice if there was stairs or a safer way to get up. But overall still a fun bill

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.

It was great taking my family out here for outdoor activities. My kids love it. They were playing…read moresoccer with some random friends on the fields for a few hours and got exhausted

Thanks to Google maps, i found this park. I wanted to cycle in Evanston, and needed a turnaround…read morepoint. This was it! Peaceful park, with a playground for children. This is one of those so peaceful you can take a nap type of parks; also have a picnic. I do see many more trips to this park in the future. Enjoy, if you decide to visit this park.

The number of blooming Tulips truly made my visit sooo worth it ! I was wowed and wowed over and…read moreover again. Shakespeares Garden is very peaceful and perfect spot with lovely seating area . It's perfect to come and reflect and perhaps read poetry or Shakespeare'a soliloquy's!! Come and enjoy this scenic and beautiful garden

I learned of the Shakespeare Garden many years ago and have often thought I needed to visit, but…read morehave never done so until today. It's another of those places that I hesitate to review because it's a lovely place and I'd love to keep it "secret" (as much as it can be given its location on college campuses and in an urban area). It was tricky to find--for some reason I found an address on Google that led me to where the tennis courts are on the Northwestern Campus--but it's actually just north of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. The Shakespeare Garden is behind the small chapel on the Seminary grounds. It's a small garden, but beautiful, and a tranquil, secluded space. I can't wait to see it when it's in full bloom! Since spring only lasts a few minutes and it has been even cooler this far into spring than usual, the trees are still very bare and it's a bit muddy. There are several stone benches to sit at in this garden in particular--at least four of them. In addition, there are a few wooden benches just before garden as well. There are uneven paving stones in and around the garden, so you'll want to be careful especially if you or someone you're with have mobility issues. If you're using a wheelchair, it will be a bumpy ride but you would be well rewarded. I was surprised to learn that the Shakespeare Garden has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988. It was established by the Evanston Garden Club in 1917, as a show of solidarity with Britain and to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare's death (the Drama League of America made this suggestion to encourage groups and individuals nationwide to do so). The Evanston Garden Club still maintains this space; it is not under the care of Northwestern or Garrett-Evangelical. What landed it on the National Register of Historic Places is the original Hawthorne trees that still grow here, and that this is an example of the type of project that was encouraged in bygone days. The designer of this garden has an impressive resume--he is considered the mastermind of the Forest Preserve system, as well as both Garfield and Columbus Parks in Chicago. What makes a Shakespeare Garden a Shakespeare Garden is the collection of botanicals that are planted there. This garden contains plants and flowers that are mentioned in Shakespeare's works. You may find thyme, marigolds, rosemary, tulips, columbine, lavender, and so on depending upon the time of year.