What a cool place with a neat backstory. Unfortunately we missed being able to get inside the home…read moreby about 30 minutes but enjoyed exploring the picturesque grounds regardless. It is sad to see the building falling apart in places, it is definitely in need of restoration. Still, the place is in a gorgeous setting with massive trees that make it truly peaceful. Bathrooms on site were open even when the home was not and were clean. There are plenty of videos on YouTube and history to be found online. I found a cool tie in to my personal family history. Apparently the builder of this unique home, Fred Francis, had a run in with my great grandfather and great uncle who were hunting on his property. Francis, being a naturalist and vegetarian disliked hunting and chased the two off his property. My uncle recounted the story to us and we walked the grounds. A neat place with an amazing story. Check it out here: http://www.cityofkewanee.com/document_center/FrancisParkBrochure.pdf

Don't miss an opportunity to tour the Woodland Palace. It was built by a recluse named Fred Francis…read morewho was way ahead of his time. He transported the bricks with a bicycle. It has the equivalent of air conditioning by underground tunnels. The doors opened and closed automatically. There is quite a story around this place, tours are cheap, and the inventions are fascinating. The house can be toured in 20 minutes. The surrounding park has plenty of camping spaces and hiking trails.

We went to the park about 10 years ago and found it quite interesting. This time we found it overly…read morecommercialized and very rundown. Many of the enclosures were not maintained and many of them animals looked as though they needed attention by both park workers and medical intervention. It is very obvious that the park is not AZA accredited.

Review Visit: October 28th, 2012…read more A place that brings back wonderful childhood memories. As a kid, this place was a destination for field trips. I remember coming out here ones or twice and having the time of my life. I blame these field trips for fostering my love for nature and being outside. So, it was only fitting that I revisit Wildlife Nostalgic Park... I mean Wildlife Prairie Park. WPP for short, this place is a fantastic destination for anyone living in Central Illinois or really anywhere in Illinois. During this fall visit, it was my girlfriend and my friend. We casually strolled the main parts while sipping some delicious coffee. The park had changed so much from when I was a kid. There were a few things I remember, but they have since expanded or updated mostly everything. They have a pretty cool snake area that is slightly modeled like a... snake. We played around on some trains and took some goofy photos with those "face cut out" displays. The bulk of the park are the nature preserves with wild floral and fauna. You could spend all day slowly walking through the park, seeing wild cows, wolves, deer, humans, birds, and various other interesting animals. Not only can you visit and see nature, they also have cabins/camping areas to rent out. I haven't personally done this as my group of friends aren't big into camping, but I would love to check it out some day. The prices seem really fair for what you get. Last but not least, they hold events throughout the year. Check out their website for details but I've been to their Ren Faire (Olde English Festival) and it was a blast. They also have a wildly popular Wildlife Scary Park each year for October/Halloween. One of my friends has a membership for WPP and said she has tickets to ride the train. Should this rain ever subside, I think it's time to take her up on her offer to go visit! We only have one Earth. Please treat it with respect. Don't litter. Recycle. Leave nature places cleaner than when you arrived. Future generations will appreciate it.

This review is for the kids area at veterans memorial park…read more The play area is well laid out and maintained. The ground doesn't have mulch, but a nice padded floor. There are 6 swings, multiple slides and 3 benches for parents to sit and watch over their children.

This is a great park for a variety of ages. There are two areas 1}Toddlers 2}Kindergarten and Up…read more I am reviewing the toddler section since I have twin 1.5 year old girls. The toddler section was very nice and safe. The canopy on a portion of it to shield from the sun. The slides seemed appropriate as far as safety. I liked the squishy type ground for this play area. Its a welcomed change from rocks or wood chips. The fencing around the playground is also nice. And more then one park bench inside the fence was appreciated.

I love walking in this park whenever I get to go there and walk along the River and see boatsread more

Very cool park - we just stopped by for a few minutes to look at the lake. It was clean and I…read morereally liked the easy access to the lake.

What a beautiful park!…read more During a quick trip to Iowa we kept our activities limited to outdoor activities and carry out eats. I pulled up the Yelp app to find a park to explore and voila, there was Vander Veer Botanical Park. It was a toasty 93 degree day so we were quickly drawn to the plentiful shaded spaces found throughout this large park. In addition to a botanical garden (which we didn't visit specifically), they also have a rose garden, small pond with a fountain, long shaded promenade, and plentiful paved paths for walking. We strolled through the rose garden and then were naturally drawn to the long shaded walkway that leads up to a large and entertaining fountain at the end. This park has so many lovely uses for varying audiences and interests. Highly recommend giving it a visit if you find yourself in the Quad Cities!

It the most fun me and my kid add I love how handicap accessible it was in the summerread more

Good playgrounds but not great for anyone with special needs bathrooms aren't accessibleread more

Woodhaven Lakes recently celebrated their 50th anniversary & we have been owners here for almost 20…read moreyears. It's our "happy place" for fresh air and R & R. We appreciate the planned activities but also the quiet time in nature. Disc Golf has recently been added and enjoyed by our son and his family. This weekend is the annual "Main Event" and there will be a Venetian Boat Parade & fireworks over Woodhaven Lake.

Great outdoor public area where people come to hike, fish, picnic, relax and enjoy a bike ride on…read morethe bike path, to enjoy a fun day of adventure and discovery. My brothers and I had a special Gerber bench made to honor the memory of our parents that dedicated their lives to honoring youth wrestling and supporting their deep Christen faith, that are apart of the fruits of the spirit!

So beautiful! Feel like it's been AI, it's paradise. Great experience, what a sanctuary.read more

A wonderful and peaceful place to be if you want to get away from the bustle but not drive too far…read moreout of town. A must if you love great scenery and wide open spaces. Has about 5 miles of trails and recently they have added on off leash area for dogs, with plenty of room to run and play. The park itself is not as big as other forest preserves, but still big enough to be secluded and peaceful. The winding trails take you through heavily wooded areas and prarie areas... I come hear a lot to explore with my dog and go on walks with my fiance. Its nice!

Very peaceful place for a morning walk in the middle of Bloomington-Normal. Very nice tree lined…read moretrail.

Great place to bike,walk or run. The different sections of the path total approximately 42 miles!…read moreThere are several sections of the path where you can ride several miles without having to cross a street. The path connects many parks as well as the ISU campus, Uptown Normal and downtown Bloomington. Much of the path is along former railroad right of ways and is shaded by mature trees which is great in the summer heat. This is a great asset for the area

Matthiessen State Park is such a gem. The trails take you through gorgeous canyons, lush greenery,…read moreand peaceful streams that make you forget how close you are to the city. The waterfall views are the highlight and absolutely worth the hike in, especially when the sun hits the rocks and everything feels like a hidden escape. The trails are well marked and offer a good mix of easy walks and more adventurous climbs, so there is something for everyone. Even on a busier day you can still find quiet corners to enjoy the sound of the water and the view of the sandstone cliffs. If you enjoy hiking, photography, or just want a beautiful spot to reset in nature, this park is a must visit. Bring good shoes, some water, and be ready to take a ton of photos.

Fantastic place to hike and explore. Not too crowded and lots of space to wander and exploreread more