Want a free workout that will kick your butt? Head over to the Swallow Cliff stairs. There are…read morepeople of all fitness levels that make the trek here. Stay to the right and keep your own pace. The forest preserve has done a nice job maintaining the area. There are tables to have a picnic, clean bathrooms, and seasonal café. There is a decent amount of parking too. It does get packed if weather is nice. People like to use rocks to track their loop numbers. Signs say no dogs allowed on the stairs.

The stairs start out widely spaced and then desend as a normal staircase . There is and opening in…read morethe middle where you can rest or turn around. It maybe a bit strenuous for old geezers like me , but I played off the rest stop like I didn't to use my phone . Some long shaded benches greet you on top or choose from four pavilion benches ( see picture )

So peaceful. People…read morereally seem to be respectful and take care of the property for the most part. Trash usually isn't all over. I really enjoyed my evening out it was restful and gave me a sense of calm even though this is in the the middle of a really busy suburb. Didn't hear any cars, horns, sirens or anything like that. There was some noise from the ball fields but that was also far enough away that that wasn't crazy loud either. Check it out when you have a chance

So Tinley park has this massive storm water reservoir with a lake at the center that they turned…read moreinto a community park. They have a couple of large parking lots there to stash your vehicle while visiting. One of the main entrances is right past one of the Tinley Park fire stations. Many paved trails to walk around the lake, with a high route and a low route to vary up the scenery. On the high elevation they have a number of picnic tables and the like for those that want to have a meal. They also have a large playground there for the kids to keep busy while the parents chill. The lower route is mainly for jogging and walking ... although you'll find a lot of bikes in the area also. At the other end you'll find baseball and soccer fields, skateboard, and basketball too. They also have a little dock off which you can fish. Be forewarned - no dogs allowed, which is good for some people and not so much for others. This is a sort of difficult kind of place to find, but that keeps it a treasure.

Incredibly beautiful Proksa Park in South Berwyn has undergone a make over. Just in time for the…read more100th Year Route 66 Celebration. Incredible design of this tranquil space with water features; games throughout the park. Frisby Disc... mmm . It's very interesting. Large paths for walking. Nature trees throughout the park. Open abundance of green areas. Tennis courts. Baseball fields. Community vegetable Gardens. Large multi children's modern playground equipment. The dedication benches placed throughout the park for leisure and rest time. They even have an activities building. Check out the signs throughout the park, to see the local Habitat in the Pond. Pets on leashes are fine they even offer waste pick up bags to promote healthy environmental habits. This massive space is yet another wonderful park in Berwyn. Visitors , Be respectful of the. Neighbors as this is a quiet neighborhood community. East of Harlem Avenue. South of Berwyn Public Library. North of Route 66

It's a beautiful place to walk to to jist get out on a beautiful day,and enjoy yoire community....read more

This picnic grounds is the site we went to in the late'50's & beyond! It was called the Lanigan…read morepicnic where my father & uncle grew up being good friends with the Lanigans & others in the Englewood area in the 1930's & 1940's. It's a beautiful spot for a picnic with room for some softball games,races for the kids.While we kids were having a blast playing,the grownups revilled in reminiscing of old times together amid boisterous laughter from funny stories.Cold beer flowed from the legs with some Irish songs being heartily belted out!

Wonderful trail, easy to socially distance, beautiful and well maintained. The parking lot is large…read moreand it's easy to get in and out of.

The Dan Ryan Woods was a HUGE part of my childhood…read more THE EXPERIENCE I doubt if there are very many Chicagoans who spent more time here than me. We had countless family picnics, reunions, school gatherings and summer BBQ's on these lawns. We also lived nearby and knew every intricate bike path through the woods there was to know. I have the scar from wiping out to prove it. My friends and I hunted for dinosaur fossils (never found one) and Garter snakes as well as received our first smooches with our girlfriends below the canopy of these trees :-) GEOGRAPHIC HISTORY It is also known to be the highest elevation in city limits. Back when the world was young, Chicago sat at the bottom of an ancient ocean. During the Ice Age, a glacier known as the Wisconsinan Glaciation carved out what is now Lake Michigan. This was a massive glacier that shifted thousands of miles of soil/sand south to form a slight elevation change along the South Side of Chicago. It extends from the Chicago River all the way to Indiana (where it also formed the famous Indiana Sand Dunes). The glaciers effects of displacing this soil are very noticeable from the mounding of it in the community of Beverly, where the drop-off creates the most excellent area in the city for winter snow sledding. I didn't know it when I was young, but I was literally sliding down into the remaining basin of a glacier. How many kids can say that. This location is on 87th & Western and is part of the large mound of soil nicknamed Blue Island, because it looked like an island to the pioneers since it sat higher than the surrounding prairie lands. Wikipedia says it actually was an island when the area was underwater millions of years ago prior to all the waters subsiding. It is also now home to the Dan Ryan Woods. CHILDHOOD MEMORIES It was so incredibly fun growing up here and riding my sled in the snow until my feet were frozen and my nose had "booger-sicles" hanging from each nostril. I had some epic wipe-outs! We used everything from real sleds to trash can tops and did running dive starts for maximum velocity. There was also a toboggan style paved run, which is no longer available. I was told they are planning to renovate the park and add it back to the landscape. Summer didn't stop the fun as we used the same hills to race our bikes down @ top speed. This activity gave nearby Little Company of Mary Hospital lots of business since a few daredevil rides ended in an emergency room visit. THE VERDICT Yep, you wouldn't know it as a visitor, but this place has brought GENERATIONS of joy to hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans whom know just how special this part of the city is/was to their childhood. If you are visiting the city in the winter, find a sled or any hard, flat, sturdy piece of plastic and hit the slopes. You'll giggle like a three year old, I promise. Yelp100[66]

All family functions are here! We've going to this park for years for our family reunion. Plenty of…read morespace to play for the kids and adults to play adult games. They also have a splash pad right next door to the park for her kids to cool off and play water games.

Orland Grassland is located at 167th and LaGrange Rd and is a newer part of the Cook County Forest…read morePreserves. Free parking can be found just east of LaGrange in a lot on the south side of 167th Street. Orland Grassland is extra special because it is a re-habitation project. After years of farming and misuse, this parcel was purchased by Cook County to bring back to its original prairie open land glory. It is also providing homes and natural habitats for many different birds and other wildlife. Around the perimeter of the grassland is a two land paved bike/walking/running path. The path is 5 miles around. It is not very difficult and slightly hilly. The biggest obstacle on a bike can be the wind, because, you know, prairies do not have tall trees blocking out the wind for you. There are a few spots to stop along the way if you need to. No vending machines so bring water. There are portable pottys near 167th and 171st. I have seen turtles, deer, coyote, many many birds and rabbits on my rides at Orland Grassland.

So sad to see the trees burned to the ground the deer have no where to hide from the coyotes and…read morewhere will the birds make their nests it looks like a tornado hit the land burning of trees laying o the ground why is this nessisary looks awful no regards for the animals.

I originally stumbled upon Veterans Park while on one of my daily morning walks. Being a park lover…read moreI had to take a moment to sit in Veterans Park and enjoy the scenery. My first impression of Veterans Park: Veterans Park is one of those underrated and low foot traffic parks that only a select few know about which is great if you want solitude. Amenities: Both the picnic sitting area and the playground equipment is up-to-date with little to no graffiti (which is a big plus if you are in a major city). If you are a chess/checkers lover there is an area in the park that you can practice your craft. Location: Veterans Park is right across the street from a mini dog park which brings the entertainment factor up a couple notches. The unfortunate part of Veterans Park is that it is in the middle of a random neighborhood which does nothing to increase the foot traffic. Unless you are searching for a local park you may never know Veterans Park is around you. I love the park nonetheless and it's slowly becoming one of my favorite miniature parks to visit.

One of my favorite hidden parks that is overlooked by many locals in the Forest Park area. They…read morehave an adorable playground with a mini bouldering wall and swings! The only other park that would rival this one is the Park District of Forest Park, which is a much larger park that typically has more visitors and families with children. This park is secluded, quiet, and a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery. There is a bench and a patio as well.

Such beautiful property. Plenty of parking. I have some mobility problems yet it was a very doable…read moreone mile walk with ample benches placed to rest on.

Nice recreational area. Kayaks and canoes available for rent at a reasonable fee. Lake is not too…read morelarge, usually pretty calm. There's a well maintained 1 mile trail around the lake, also a butterfly garden, kids area, and other points of interest. There are also a lot of special events and programs for kids and adults. Ample parking in their lot or on the street.