Big park with a lot going on in and around. Dawes Park is one of the best things about Evanston. It has 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. read more

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I recently walked through a variety of parks in Evanston and I think Dawes was my favorite. It's along 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. read more

Easy to find parking with a 2 hr limit. Fun to watch dogs & cute families of ducks swimming. Fire & drum performances. read more

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Upon the extensive lake-side walking trail lies a park packed with numerous benches, restroom facilities, and possibly some refreshments available for purchase during the summer days. Additionally, there are grills that visitors can take advantage of. read more

Beautiful park beside Michigan lake. Nice pond with water fountain. Everything so pretty. There is beach nearby, i guess you can bring your dog there. Clark beach does not allow dog. Lovely place! read more

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Yes, it's 2019. Hubby and I are still playing Pokémon Go. "Dawes Park" has a plenty of pokestops along Lake Michigan. It's always a pleasant walk along the shore, and there are enough rocks and barricades to keep a safe distance from getting too close to undulating water. The bicycle lanes and pedestrian walks are well-maintained and clearly-marked. In addition, free parking on Sheridan is provided. The north end of "Dawes Park" connects to Clark Street Beach and part of Northwestern campus. I personally can walk miles and miles and won't feel tired because I enjoy the views of lake so much. I sometimes detour myself to check out various buildings on NW campus, such as Ryan Fieldhouse, Lakeside field, the university library, dormitories, and the natatorium. I never went to school there, but I feel like I'm part of the community every time I meander through the paths. "Dawes Park" considers as one of my favorite getaway spots when I want to relax and unwind without packing my bag! Take advantage of what northshore has to offer without being extravagant. read more

Dawes Park - Parks Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Convenient park with plenty of parking right by the beach. It provides a great place to walk and relax just a few minutes walking distance away from downtown Evanston. The lagoon provides a great place to watch relaxing fountains, ducks walking around, and have a picnic. There's also a picnic shelter at the north end of the park with restrooms available. read more

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Dawes Park is directly on the lake, and it's a really lovely place! There's something here to enjoy in all four seasons; it's a great place to hang out :-) I especially enjoy this park when the weather is warm; one of my favorite things to do here in the summer is bring a grill and enjoy a BBQ with friends. This is also a really nice place to go for a stroll, or to ride your bike; it's dog friendly too! read more

This is a standard park in Evanston that is located just south of Northwestern University. It is pretty empty but serves its purpose. It is spacious and is good for jogging, biking, or walking your dog. And in the summer time, you will see people barbecuing. With its location right next to Lake Michigan, you get great views of the water. If you happen to be visiting this city, there are worse ways to pass time than a short visit to this park. read more

Dawes Park - Parks Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I love this little oasis by the lake. Perfect amount of shade, adorable duckies, beautiful flowers.

I would say it's a pretty good park, the scenery is great. I just would recommend people to drive for a long distance. You can walk around to the pond area and even have a picnic in the picnic tables but if you do not have a code or pass for the lake area you may not enter. You must have a pass. It is not easy to get in as there are people next to the gate. If you just want to go for those two things, I recommend :) read more

Dawes Park - Pond area - Parks Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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Such a beautiful park I discovered recently. It has an amazing walk path, seating/bench areas and it is right by the beach. I would suggest this place for a photo shoot, picnic or just to take a nice walk. I cannot wait to visit again! read more

Chicago and the surrounding suburbs have so much to see and do. Dawes Park in Evanston, IL is a great spot for picnics, art fairs, walking your dog or just going for a stroll on a beautiful night like tonight. You have Lake Michigan to the east, beautiful homes to the west and a great park sandwiched in between. read more

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Beautiful park alongside Lake Michigan! Perfect area for any type of leisure activities you like, whether it be barbecuing, reading a book, tanning, walking, flying a kite, running, cycling, etc. My visits here are mostly while cycling, but i have ran a turkey trot at this park location. As i get more familiar with Evanston; this will be one of my normal turnaround points while cycling, and would love to park my car here for a run in the general area in the future. The views of the Lakefront are amazing! Along with the views of Arrington Lagoon! Very gorgeous at all times of the day, but the real beauty of it is in the morning and evenings; sunrise and sunset. You pick which one, but you're missing out if you haven't seen any of the two yet. Enjoy! Thomas G read more

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I've only been here a couple of times, but Dawes Park beats any other parks out of the water! It's in a great location in Evanston right off of Sheridan Road. I was just here this past weekend, and there was plenty of side street parking, however, it gets much busier during hot summer days. I love to come to Evanston as often as possible, so what I usually end up doing is parking in the public parking in downtown Evanston and walking a few minutes down the street until I reach the park/Lake Michigan. Both times I've parked there, it ended up being free. It seems that Dawes Park is connected to a couple things such as a wonderful dog beach. The park itself has a beautiful lagoon with a fountain and LOTS of room to have a picnic. There are trails to run or bike, or just walk along Lake Michigan and take in the scenery. It's also a great spot to people watch and take wonderful pictures. On the other side of Sheridan Road, there are old Victorian houses that are breathtaking, but kind of creepy at the same time! One of the best perks is that it's free and it's never too crowded, which makes it great for any occasion. Since it's so close to Downtown Evanston, there are plenty of dining options. Next visit, I am bringing my dog... :) read more

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Beautiful park. The trees, the pond the whole 9 yards are beautiful. Love it. Exquisite.

I spent a couple days in Evanston this week, and while it was too short a visit to get the whole run of the town, I did get to pass a pleasant hour in Dawes Park. The weather was cool for the duration of my trip, but I did get one clear, lovely, sunny afternoon. I cardiganed up and walked to the lake. My only other time in Evanston was Presidents' Day weekend 2005, a frigid wintertime visit to my friend Melissa K., who was at Northwestern. I don't remember everything we did that weekend, but I do remember the lake, which was gorgeous but harder to appreciate when the weather kept us from long periods of time outdoors. I'm glad I got to see it on a more forgiving day--it was beautiful, blue and placid, a kind of view I don't get often living in Los Angeles. I walked up and down the path winding by it, through the park, admiring the lake and the shore, the greenery and the campus, pausing to sit and read and watch joggers and other idlers go by. There were picnic tables and lots of benches for relaxing, and I even came across a tiny dog beach, where a few dogs were at play. I don't know what tourists are supposed to do in Evanston, but I was happy with this outing--it was lovely, free, and peaceful. I doubt I'd go on long walks in Dawes Park on an icier day, but I'm sure the views are always fantastic. It'd be a waste to come into town without at least a short visit to this park. read more

Great park for sitting outdoors and enjoying a last picnic with your oldest friends before moving away from Chicago. Hypothetically. Windy by the lake by this time of year, but the fountain is beautiful and the ducks are entertaining and the people-watching is top-notch. Plenty of free three-hour parking, and the park is very dog-friendly. Pack a lunch and enjoy! read more

I honestly think I have died and gone to heaven. It's the middle of August, and there is this gorgeous lakefront park with running and biking trails, and a dog park, and a lagoon with fountains surrounded by park benches and grass, and a bluff with cool-ass painted rocks you can sun on like a lizard, and it's only 70 degrees outside right now, and the park is only 2 blocks from my friend's apartment, and I can see the Chicago skyline beckoning "come have fun here!" That's this visitor's view of Dawes Park. What am I doing? Time for a morning run to work off all the deliciously fattening food I've consumed over the last 4 days. We're going downtown for lunch! read more

Dawes Park - Dawes Park - Parks Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Visited the park for International Fair Trade and it was awesome to have all kinds of business get together as well as music performances in different stages. They park is clean and calm to enjoy a walk or jog around the park. Will come back to enjoy once it starts getting warmer. read more

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It may only be 42 degrees out, but today, I'm dreaming of hot summer nights. And what are hot summer nights without secrets? Dawes Park may not be a clandestine locale, but it's still what I'd consider off-the-radar. Last August, one of my favorite bands (Austin's Del Castillo) played the Starlight Concert Series in Dawes Park. I'll probably never miss a Starlight Concert here again - you can pack a picnic, bring a few bottles of wine and listen to live music under the stars right on Lake Michigan with killer views of the Chicago skyline. And... the shows are free! The 2011 series features five shows at Dawes, all on Tuesday nights. If Del Castillo comes back here, I highly recommend you attend. Speaking of "on the QT" (they don't call me Mrs. Tarantino for nothing, yo), here's the connection: Robert Rodriguez scored Kill Bill: Vol. 2 and created Chingon (members from Del Castillo) for the express purpose of contributing to that soundtrack and also for Grindhouse (both directed/co-directed by Tarantino). Cool, huh? read more

This park gets 5 stars for one reason. And that reason is the concrete lagoon smack dab in the middle of it, on the scenic shores of Lake Mission. The lagoon has a nice path around it, and an island in the middle. Ok, so I might not be convincing you that a concrete lagoon is worth five stars. What's it going to take? What if I told you that it was the historic starting and ending point of BagFeST? Sigh, that might not do it. But, well, reviews are subjective, so I still think that th lagoon is 5 stars. read more

Great park right along the Evanston shoreline. Free parking along the neighborhood streets for 2-3hr limits which allows for plenty of time to enjoy the grass and spread out. There are public restrooms so never fear. There are a lot of people walking, biking, roller-blading, etc. but it's not overly crowded and there are a number of trees so it's easy to snag a spot in the shade. You will see a lot of dogs walking by so it is dog-friendly but if you have a reactive dog, just be aware that there are a lot of dogs in this area. All in all, a great spot to spend a lazy summer day. read more

Excellent relaxation spot, beautiful fountain, pleasant climate, mesmerising lake side, colourful trees, cute ducks..

Great place for a cookout and a wonderful way to spend a summer day! Parking can be tricky, there are lots of towing zones which they keep a close eye on. There are 3 hr parking areas, but they fill up quickly. read more

This location is awesome!!! Parking is vast & it's scenic & serene all in one.