Enjoy the Spring Air at These 6 Downer Grove Parks
Are you looking for places to get out and about in Downers Grove as the weather gets warmer? Here at Americash Jewelry & Coin Buyer, we’ve been thinking about some of the best parks and nature reserves southwest of Chicago for families to explore. Here’s a look at five of the best we’ve come up with. We hope we can give you some new ideas for the summer months ahead.
Hidden Lake Forest Preserve
Hidden Lake is a 390-acre preserve in Downers Grove that offers a perfect location for a range of outdoor activities. You’ll find trails for walking or biking, two lakes and a river for fishing, and a picnic shelter to relax in. The wooded ponds at Hidden Lake are a great place to hear spring birds as you walk by. The preserve is also home to a variety of trees, such as red, white, and bur oaks. You can discover all of this and more by walking the 2 miles of trails that snake through the preserve.
You can relax after your hike at one of the many picnic tables scattered throughout the preserve. Alternatively, you can bring a blanket and stretch out on any grassy area you like. Keep in mind that open fires are forbidden at Hidden Lake. If you’re visiting with a group, you can reserve the picnic shelter, which can hold up to 50 people.
If you decide to go fishing, you can choose between the 15-acre Round Meadow Lake or the slightly smaller 10-acre Eagle Lake. Both lakes give you the chance to catch several species, including bass, bluegill, and crappie. To drive to Hidden Lake, head 0.25 miles south from Butterfield Road. You’ll find the main entrance on the east side of Route 53.
Patriots Park
Located on the south side of 55th Street, Patriots Park is a spacious community area offering activities that everyone can enjoy. You’ll find a 0.45-mile walking loop around Barth Pond, which is a 5.8-acre body of water at the center of the park. The pathway was recently upgraded from gravel to hard surface, making your walk a more enjoyable experience. On the west side of the park, you’ll find a playground for your kids. The playground is divided into two halves, one for kids aged 2 to 5, and the second for children aged 5 to 12.
Barth Pond doesn’t just attract keen walkers. It’s also a popular fishing destination. If you plan on fishing there, you can use the parking lot on the east side of Patriots Park, which gives you easy access to the eastern bank of Barth Pond. Across the park’s 27 acres, you’ll find several picnic tables where you can relax and enjoy a bite to eat. A barbecue facility is also available. You can reserve the Patriots Park picnic shelter to accommodate larger groups.
Lilacia Park
Lilacia Park is in Lombard, not Downers Grove, but it’s well worth the 5-mile drive to get there. This 8.5-acre park is dominated by horticultural areas that produce seasonal plants that you can purchase at the park. You’ll also find a picnic area and a pond. You can explore a 0.61-mile walking trail in the park, which is the perfect distance for a short stroll. During your walk, you can pause to experience scenic lookout areas that provide impressive views over the park.
The park boasts over 700 lilacs and 35,000 tulips. Its national importance for horticulture was recognized in 2019, when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Its history goes back almost a century, when it was donated to the people of Lombard by a colonel following his death in 1927.
McCollum Park
McCollum Park is the place to go in Downers Grove if you like playing sports. It features tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, and an 18-hole miniature golf course. It’s considered the flagship park in Downers Grove. In addition to the wide range of sporting options, you can use the park’s 1.2-mile loop trail for walking or jogging. If you go there with your kids, they can enjoy themselves in the playground or shoot some hoops on one of the park’s two basketball courts.
The park was built in the early 1980s, but underwent significant renovations to accommodate more visitors. The parking lot was expanded, and a larger picnic shelter was installed. You can rent any of the various playing fields in McCollum Park if you’d like to challenge your friends or family to a game. If you just feel like taking it easy and having a relaxing day at the park, consider reserving the park pavilion, which will give you and your friends plenty of space.
Ebersold Park
Ebersold Park is located south of the intersection of 59th and Main Street. It was traditionally a popular spot for kids in the local community to go sledding in the winter. While that’s still the case today, Ebersold Park also features a number of other activity options. A paved walking path stretches for 0.75 miles around the park. In the southern half of the park, you’ll find a playground, with one area reserved for younger children and another for kids aged 5 to 12. A soccer field is located next to the playground.
The northern half of the park consists of an open field with areas of plant life. Picnic tables are placed throughout the park, so you should always be able to find a spot to relax and enjoy something to eat.
There you have it. The team at Americash Jewelry & Coin Buyer just gave you the rundown of the best parks for walking and having fun in Downers Grove and the surrounding area. Did we mention your favorite park? Do you have a tip for us about a park we’ve overlooked? We’d love to hear your stories about the parks you’ve enjoyed visiting with friends or family in the local area. Contact us and we’ll include them in one of our upcoming blog posts.
Image via Flickr by danxoneil | Licensed by CC BY 2.0
Tags: Downer Grove, Parks
