Entertaining for all ages! Took my step daughter (5/6 year old) and husband here one summer…read moreafternoon. Clean, updated and a blast for all 3!

I was trying to find a new good playground to go with 2 year old, and I did!…read moreThis's a wonderful place for kids all ages! Like this playground!

A nice, clean park for people of all ages to either exercise, take a leisurely stroll, do…read morerecreational activities like fishing, picnic or just chill (or all of the above :-) ). I enjoy going here for walks and jogs. I forget how long of a trail it is for walking/ jogging/ bicycling purposes but either way, it is enjoyable. They have BBQ grills and picnic areas, benches, fields for baseball and soccer, a basketball court and some complimentary exercising (gym) equipment for anyone who would like to use it. The park has easy (multiple) access points and although, certain parking areas can get busy during nice weather days, you have other parking options nearby. There are multiple restroom areas in the park. Pets (dogs to be exact) are allowed for a walk. You get pretty views of sunsets from here over the small lake that's there as the area is scenic. I go here occasionally for either exercising or just to get my mind of things as I find this place relaxing and chill. Check this park out if you haven't been here before. It's worth the visit.

It is a beautiful place, lots of areas to walk and picnic areas too. It is a good place to go…read morewether you want to be alone or with someone

A small but complete park located right on Diamond Lake. There are plenty of activities to do such…read moreas fishing, a playground, picnic area, and areas to sit right by the lake and enjoy the view. Parking is convenient right on the edge of the park.

Independence Grove is such a nice forest preserve with lots of things to do especially in the…read moresummer time. Beautiful trails to walk/run along but they also have a playground for kids. They have a beer garden and snack shop. They also have water activities that you can rent like paddle boats and kayaks. It's just a nice place to go solo or with friends if you are looking to connect with nature for a bit.

Independence Grover is very much a Beautiful Paradise to My Husband & I. We discovered this great…read morenature center when we shopped at a thrift store I like. There are many fish by the tables if you bring something to eat. The bathrooms are very clean & close by. The natural nature is gorgeous! People can rent boats too. The paths are nice to walk on & this is a huge place! Plenty of parking in each section. Fishing as well. I seen there is a beach by the tables to eat at. Very cute. Peaceful too. We live in Chicago & many of our nature areas are very crowded. Even if it would get busy there is enough room for everyone here. I love it!! The plants & flowers are Amazing! I do wish we lived closer. If you have not made a visit please do.

This was a lovely place to go for a short winter hike in north suburbs. We followed the…read moreequestrian trail, which takes you past a couple of ponds and up and down a couple of gentle hills. Hikers are welcome, but horses have the right-of-way. Our segment was about two and a half miles, perfect for the spouse, who is not as keen on hiking as I am, particularly in the winter. If you are looking for more or less distance, there are some short cuts and extensions available. Clean outhouses at the trail head, well-stocked with toilet paper. Always a plus. Plenty of deer along the trail. Dogs aren't allowed on the horse trails, but they are allowed elsewhere in the preserve. A couple of bike trails pass through the area as well. We didn't have time to check out the Lake County Discovery Museum, located onsite, but I understand it is worth a visit. It's not what I'd call a spectacular park, but if you are in the area and want to get outside for a bit, this is a pretty solid option.

I love this forest preserve! It is close to my house and I love to come here to take walks, it is…read morevery relaxing and the nature is beautiful. There are a few different trails you can pick, I see people riding their bikes walking or running it's also great to bring your dog for a walk.

This is a hidden little gem right near downtown Lake Zurich that many locals don't even seem to…read moreknow about. The entrance is tucked between two residential homes, and it boarders the private LZ Golf Course on another side. Growing up in Lake Zurich I remember learning that the Kuechmann family donated the property to the village and I can remember a house standing on the property when I visited. When the vegetation isn't overgrown in winter, you can still see where the house was further back in the arboretum. More recently, the wonderful Ancient Oaks Foundation has taken over care of the property and have done an outstanding job make this a neat spot to visit. The arboretum walking path is a mulched trail. It's a fairly short little loop, perfect for taking young ones on a manageable walk. I am lucky enough to live close enough that I run through frequently in the morning and I have often seen deer and on one occasion a red tailed fox! The Ancient Oaks Foundation recently installed a wonderful natural play scape for kids. It's a great area to bring kids to enjoy being in nature.

What a little hidden gem!!!! I was in the area and stumbled upon it and am so happy I did! My…read moretoddler had a lot of fun exploring the nature set ups, swing, campfire area and the boat. We will definitely be back!

My kiddos loves this park. Very clean and has areas for every age group. Wonderful during the…read moresummer days. Take some food and have a picnic!

A nice place to go for a stroll or a jog. The park is family friendly, peaceful, serene and clean…read more There's also a newly built kid's playground park with fun things to do for them. It's a well maintained place.

Wow, just amazing. This is one of the nicest parks I've been to in the area. I'm amazed that I only…read morerecently discovered this after going to other places like Independence Grove, Lake Arlington, Twin Lakes, Half Day Forest Preserve, etc. The park is very well maintained with lots of walking paths, many different varieties of plants, and a number of unique structures. Some of these include: - 3 retention ponds / lakes - 6 lacrosse fields, 6 tennis courts, 3 baseball diamonds, 1 basketball court - 3 playgrounds (including kid's castle) - 3 gazebos - 3 restroom buildings - Picnic shelter - 4 BBQ grills These are all spread out nicely and surrounded by beautiful plants. Definitely a must visit park for anyone who lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

A sensational park, trail, nature reserve that has been a gem for decades. As a kid, we would often…read morevisit the forest preserve to fish, go on the playgrounds, bike the extensive well-connected trails, walk..so much memories here. Great spot to host a cookout or party with their rental shelters too. Happy to see it still functioning for many folks after all these years. Wish Charleston, SC had preserves like this!

There was a wedding reception (dinner and dancing) held in Shelter A and B of this forest preserve…read more As a former Illinois resident I thought the wedding party would be uncomfortable, given this time of year. But I was wrong! Both the weather and surroundings were beautiful; I heard they sprayed for insects beforehand as well. Many picture opportunities. Open enough to enjoy the rest of reserve and share the good vibes with passersby. Some bees came out but only when we were already packing up. Maybe more available parking spaces would've been nice. Other than that, it was a good time.