If you find yourself in the Southwest side of Chicago, come visit McKinley Park. You can't even…read moretell you're in the city anymore because it's so calm and serene. Add to it all the lush greenery complete with a nearby lagoon and it's the ideal place for fun and relaxation. A friend of mine introduced me to this nice little oasis. It's the perfect stomping grounds for leisure and exercise. There are plenty of trails to partake in a walk, run, bike or rollerblade. This park is huge and there is plenty of space for outdoor picnic and sport. While walking with my friend, we came across folks taking part in tennis, soccer, basketball, baseball, football and fishing. There is something for everyone here and you can make an entire day out of it. They also have a large public outdoor pool with splash pad for the kids. Another plus is the plentiful street parking within the park's perimeter with a dedicated parking lot near the pool grounds. In the wintertime, I think they have an outdoor ice rink too. Check out McKinley park. It's a gem of a park in the city's southwest side.

we are only allowed 45 min to swim and the don't even give us the full 45 min . the kick is out…read morealmost 10 min before the time is up. I believe we should have the full 45 min then we wait 15 for them to open again for 45 min. as I asked why we getting out early they because people take long to get dressed. like that not my fault

I've gone to this forest preserve since I started living in Chicago. It used to be fairly quiet,…read morean occasional bike rider here and there, but mostly empty, and the trails had funky color coded trails that we seriously got lost on the first time I went here. I used to be able to allow my dog to walk off leash (she's very well behaved) ...but alas, this is not true anymore. We hadn't been in about a year, and went back to get some fresh air, and it was disappointing. They had an animal control unit present so we couldn't let our dog off leash, which is really the primary reason we would go out there...so she can be independent and have fun exploring. We felt we were being watched like hawks, so its no longer peaceful, but has fallen under big brother's ever watchful gaze. Time to find a new place to walk.

I did the vast majority of my marathon training on this trail system, and my boyfriend and I bike…read morethese trails about once a week. This is a great trail system in the south burbs if you're looking for a paved trail for running or biking. The trail system is well maintained. The scenery is lovely, and the trails are generally pretty empty too which I particularly enjoy when I just want to zone out during a long run.

Good place to launch kayaks or canoes, this place used to be unkempt and dangerous. Near the…read morehistorically important Altgeld Gardens housing project, this end of the river has other important African American historic sites. It's the start to the African American Heritage Water Trail. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/33c3120579f9471e84e51f8684ced943

It's a great place to relax and fish and I suggest it to who ever enjoy being outdoorsread more

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.

What a nice County park in the city of Chicago. This is a large park, and has portions on both…read moresides of 87th Street. South of 87th Street you enter the parking lot at about 88th Street on Western Avenue ... north of 87th Street you enter the parking lot right on 87th Street just east of Western. The north portion runs all the way down to the train tracks at about 83rd Street, about four blocks. The south portion runs up to 90th Street and partially - on the east side - over to about 91st Street. Either way you are in for a treat. This expansive park has loads of room to spread out, whether a summer picnic group or a small family gathering with a cookout. In fact, during the pandemic, just visiting and sitting in the parking lot with your friends in lawn chairs is a way to keep active socially. There are a couple of shelters on each side of the park, but these undoubtedly require reservations. There is enough room for a pickup family flag-football game. The south section is mostly flat, while the north end is hilly, and they used to have toboggan slides there. The parking lots also hold scores of cars. Give this place a try and you'll enjoy.

We had a very pleasant hike, we were able to see three deers that were grazing. The path which runs…read morealong Salt Creek is paved making it easy to walk, bike or push a stroller. It wheel chair accessible & has parking spaces provided near the picnic area. We passed many hikers & bicycle riders, all of them very pleasant!

Nice area to enjoy some fresh air, nature, Exercise and…read morefamily. They maintain it very well and they have nice trails. My dogs enjoyed playing and walking this area. Many families enjoying bicycles. Runners. Friends handing out. Great place to stop and relax , soak in nature. Well cared for and maintained. Ty

Egger's Grove is a Forest Preserve in Hegewisch. There aren't paved trails here--or at least the…read moreone we were on was not. There's no services here--you won't find nature center or anything, but there are lots of benches, some picnic areas, and bathrooms. Birding is a popular activity here. In fact, I was here for a program called Owl Prowl because it's starting to become a particularly good time of year to hear them (not see). I think it was the Great Horned Owl and the Screech Owl that we were on the prowl for. I learned that screech owls kind of sound like a horse when they neigh; that was unexpected. Eggers Grove has varying terrain and that is welcoming to birds that don't stop around here in other places, and it's a good place for migratory birds. I was here after dusk so I'd like to visit sometime when it is light out to see the area. It's popular for hiking. There is a humongous parking lot, so you shouldn't have a problem finding a place if you venture out here. Humongous parking lot so many spaces you can park here with your friends family your high school senior class.

Family and I always enjoy having a nature reserve this close to home. We go hiking there often…read more Wish they would put a platform by the small lake on the southeast side so it easier and more comfortable to view the migrating birds that stop there.

We have now been to Big Marsh Park twice and absolutely love it! We are always looking for places…read moreto hike outdoors surrounded by natural wild space near Chicago, and here is a Park with miles and miles of pathways right in the city! If you like to hike outdoors, head over to Big Marsh Park today! Once a terribly polluted area of Chicago due to steel factories and industrial waste, Big Marsh Park has undergone extensive reclamation and restoration work to be the gorgeous natural wild space it is today! However, the park does not hide its past. Signs and relics of industrial destruction are left as reminders of what can happen when human industry is left unfettered without environmental regulation. Also, fishing and swimming are not allowed in the water. In addition to miles and miles of beautiful pathways for walking, hiking, and biking, Big Marsh Park also has massive mountain biking pathways, biking parks, and skate parks. Plenty for kids to come and have outdoor fun! There are plenty of spaces for picnics and outdoor crafts. Furthermore, there is a gorgeous museum that tells the story of the area, past, present, and future. It is new, informative, and clean. The bathrooms are green-designed and very nice. There is plenty of parking for visitors and public buses that come to the park. It is hard to get to with pot-hole infested roads, but well worth the trek! If you like the outdoors, learning history about Chicago, and exercise, head over to Big Marsh Park today!

I'm a veteran mountain biker and a suburban dad so I was skeptical of a city bike park. The area is…read moreforeign to me and looked pretty industrial especially the landfill within a stones throw from the park. Boy howdy was I surprised. The City of Chicago has created an oasis for bikers, hikers and skateboarding, but mostly biking. The park has a nice sized pump track, some short but we'll thought out single track and enough features to challenge most riders. My son and I had a great time and most definitely will return.

This is beautiful national historical land. It's located off the I-55 and Harlem Ave. Easy to…read moreaccess. It's for the education and enjoyment of the community and visitors. Very nice picnic area with tables. Many benches located throughout the area. Very nice Trails to enjoy for a healthy way to relax and enjoy nature. Beautiful statues and maps tell the history/timeline. Great place for the individual, couple, groups , children and animals as well. Wonderful spot to enjoy and soak up history.

We walked the outer path around the water. Some of it is paved but then it turns into a rock path…read morefor a while. There is a pavilion with some tables to sit & eat. We saw lots of different kinds of flowers. Several different butterfly species & few dragonflies. It took us about 25 minutes to walk around but we were stopping a lot so I could take pictures. If you're looking for a beautiful walk I definitely suggest going to Chicago Portage National Historic Site!