Monica fell in love with The Arboretum in Urbana, Illinois, featuring ponds, trails, gardens, weeping willows, and this gazebo next to the Japan House cultural center, built by Nick Offerman — yes, that Nick Offerman. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios
We recently told you about the joy Chicagoans derive from local parks, which got us wondering about the most-loved parks in the city and state.
- Thanks for sending over an amazing list of so many places we’d never even heard of.
CindyJ: “Humboldt Park. Love to walk around the lagoon with my dog Ginger, bring bread to toss to the ducks and geese. Stop at one of the ethnic food trucks for a bite to eat. Perfect day!”
- Michael M also loves Humboldt Park.
Kelsey: “Jackson Park, Bobolink Meadows, and the Promontory Point/Lake Shore running path flow really nicely into each other, creating a very different feel for a simple walk.”
Hugo E: “Rock Cut State Park (in Winnebago County) is such an amazing escape and not too far from the city.”
Celeste D: “Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford and Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savanna, Illinois (my grandfather was the head forest ranger there).”
Karen R: “Park 566 (with prairies, savannah, and birding areas) on Chicago’s lakefront.”
Kitty S: “Horner Park actually has a hill — in Chicago.”
Robert H: “The Chicago Botanic Garden, Morton Arboretum, Standish Park Arboretum in Galesburg, and Washington Square Park in Ottawa.”
PaulM: “Indian Ridge Marsh is one of my favorite places in Chicago. Compact and remote.”
Wayne S: “Distant Clyffe State Park, in southern Illinois; fabulous nature trails.”
Daniel K: “Volo Bog, the only open-water quaking bog in Illinois.”
Sharon P: “Allerton Park, (in Monticello) — you’ve got 20 yards of peony-walled garden with espaliered trees, a full dog garden, and more. Just about two to three hours away.”
Hillary M: “Montrose Point and “Magic Hedge” Bird Sanctuary for great birding.”
HarryK: “Washington Park in Springfield.”
Greyson A: “Shabbona Lake recreation area in Shabbona, Illinois.”
💭 Monica’s thought bubble: I’m challenging all of us to check out five parks you’ve never visited before by the end of the year.
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