Lords Park, Elgin

Lords Park
325 Hiawatha, Elgin, IL 60120
http://cityofelgin.org/index.aspx?nid=478

Pictures won't do this park justice. This is by far our family's favorite park in the area, but it always amazes me that it is not widely known by people living here. In addition to two playgrounds, there is a large animal zoo that has bison, deer and elk, a walking path around a gorgeous lake with ducks and geese to feed, and enormous grassy areas for playing and picnics. There are also covered picnic areas, plus the Lord's Park aquatic center.

The park is located north of Rt. 19, south of Rt. 58 and east of Rt. 25. There are several entrances to the park and parking is plentiful. But if you are meeting someone, make sure you specify a spot (like the bison pen) to meet. You can park by the pond, by the aquatic center or by the playgrounds.

Beautiful pond has a path all the way around and some nice spots to feed the ducks.

Bison pen

Playground #1 - this one is better for younger kids, but there are no baby swings at this playground. The ground is sand, so keep this in mind when choosing footwear!

Another shot of playground #1, directly across from the bison pen.

Nice covered picnic area next to playground #1

Playground #2 - this one is better for preschool aged kids and up. There is a tunnel they have to climb to reach the slides and the young kids can't quite get up by themselves.

While the playground is better for older kids, there are baby swings at this playground.

Also located in Lord's Park is the Elgin Public Museum. We haven't been inside yet, but they do hold lots of interesting programs about Natural History, including a Bison feeding.

Not a great picture, but this is the Lord's Park Aquatic Center - pool, slides, sand play.

Park Ideas

Here is a list of the future parks I'm working on posting.... please let me know your favorites so I can add them, too!

Princeton Park, Hoffman Estates

Cannon Crossings, Hoffman Estates

Polk Branch Park, 901 E Thacker Drive, Schaumburg
Russ Parker Park, 301 National Parkway, Schaumburg
Victoria Park, Schaumburg
Citizen's Park, Barrington

South Barrington Community Park

Community Park, South Barrington
8 Bridges Drive

This is a newer park located off Bartlett Road, just north of Rt. 72 and the Arboretum of South Barrington.In addition to swings, there are two great sets of equipment with lots of neat things we don't see often at other parks. The larger equipment is really challenging for younger kids, they have to scale a pretty tall climbing wall to even reach the 3 slides. I don't think I would even climb it myself! But the equipment geared towards the younger kids is big enough with plenty to do. There are some nice areas to picnic and plenty of parking. There was a porta-potty there the last time we visited, but we didn't see any permanent bathrooms.

This equipment is quite challenging for little kids. The yellow thing with holes is the only access to the three large slides. The top of that is way too high for my 4 year old, but maybe older kids might enjoy the climb!

Vogelei Park, Hoffman Estates

Vogelei Park, Hoffman Estates
650 West Higgins Road

http://heparks.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59:about-vogelei&catid=38:vogelei&Itemid=71 

Vogelei Park has a great playground, Safetytown streets where kids can ride their bikes, a small splash pad with a couple fountains and a great big grassy area for picnics as well as a covered picnic area overlooking a lake with ducks. In the summer, the picnic area doubles as a stage and they often have free kids concerts and events. There are public bathrooms located in the barn.

There is a lot for parking, but be aware that during concerts and events the lot can get quite full. Located on Rt. 72 at the intersection of Rt. 58, you can only enter Vogelei Park while going west on Rt. 72. There is a turnaround just past the intersection where you can get back on 72 west by turning right.

**A big thanks to Gina for this picture!**

This is the splash pad - obviously it wasn't on when we were there. It is really just a couple fountains that the kids can run through.

This is where the concerts are located, also a great place to picnic.

Black Bear Park, Hoffman Estates

NEW! UPDATED PICTURES!

Located at 1784 Essex Drive, Hoffman Estates.

http://www.heparks.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=58&Itemid=107

More than just playgrounds!

In addition to the nice, new playground equipment, this park also offers a paved path, pond with a dock for fishing, frisbee golf course and basketball court. There is a gazebo with one picnic table. Parking is available on the street, but watch the "No Parking" signs, you can't park directly in front of the park (I have seen them ticketing recently!)

This is the play structure for older kids, there are a few openings that make me nervous with the younger kids.

Front of the larger play structure

Toddler play structure - perfect for little ones, but doesn't really interest the older ones too much.

Bring a ball! Nice basketball court for the kids to run and bounce balls.

Paved path leads down the frisbee golf course, walking path and pond.

Picnic shelter

View of the park from the street

Paved path on the way to the pond

The pond has fish, ducks and geese - bring food or your fishing pole!

Fishing dock at the pond

View of the park coming back up the path from the pond

View of whole park from the back

Sunny Hill Park, Streamwood

Sunny Hill Park

1400 W. Irving Park Road, Streamwood

**Note - you can only enter the park going westbound on Irving Park Road!

http://www.streamwoodparkdistrict.org/brochure/Summ1126.pdf

 

This big park is great for all ages!

The larger equipment is challenging enough so the school-aged kids can get out some energy, but not overly dangerous for 2-3 year olds. There is a smaller playset for the younger kids, plus an additional playground on the back side of the park that has another toddler-sized playground as well.

In the summer, the Splash Pad is one of the best in the area. Not just a fountain in the ground, but lots of squirting water and places to fill buckets. It is nice and fenced in (when people actually close the gates) and there is no deep water to worry about. Nice grass area inside the fence to set up your towels or strollers with babies.

Main Playground Area

Swings and smaller toddler sized play equipment

Baby swings and regular swings

Another view of the toddler sized equipment

Fantastic covered picnic area plus bathrooms

Just behind the playground there is a huge grassy area with another small playground at the far end. This playground is perfect for little ones aged 2 and under.

The splash pad here is fantastic. It is fenced in, has nice grassy area to set up your picnic, plus lots of fountains for the kids to run through and play with water. Best splash pad in the area, hands down.

Welcome!

I'm starting this blog for Moms (and Dads) in the Hoffman Estates area... including surrounding places like Elgin, Barrington, South Barrington, Schaumburg, Streamwood, Bartlett... and hopefully eventually beyond! I'm always searching for new playgrounds that will entertain (and exhaust) my two kids. But when I try to find a good list of playgrounds, I'm disappointed by the lack of information about the equipment available or pictures. So now I am attempting to compile my own list that I hope you will find useful, too!

Please let me know if there is any information I am leaving out about these parks, as I get started I'm sure I haven't thought of everything. I am also happy to get suggestions of other parks to check out, or better still, photos and notes from your experiences!