The Yorktown ReserveBlog
Best Parks in Lombard: An Outdoor Lover’s Guide
Lombard, Illinois, is often referred to as the lilac village, but its great nature scapes go far beyond that gorgeous flower. This town packs in a lot of green space, from an award-winning historic garden to 18 other parks that are tucked within its borders. Travel site www.thecrazytourist.com sums up the local scenery nicely: “It’s impossible to talk about Lombard without mentioning lilacs. Lombard’s park district was born when a long-term resident donated his lilac-rich estate to the village in 1927.”
And almost a century later, the house still stands, and the park has blossomed into more than a house and a park, but a system of beautifully maintained and visited parks that bring people from all over the country. If you’re local to Chicagoland, you’ve probably seen the lilacs and maybe want a fresh breath of something new.
Here’s our short list of the 6 best parks in Lombard, no matter if you want to watch a great sunset, bike or walk trails, or simply stop and smell the flowers.
1. Lilacia Park
We will start with the showstopper of Lombard that we’ve already introduced. Located right next to downtown Lombard, Lilacia Park was originally the home and private garden of Colonel William Plum, who left his estate to the village of Lombard. It is, of course, the crown jewel of the town. Lombardparks.com describes it as a “world-renowned horticultural showcase that features over 700 lilacs and 35,000 tulips annually. In 2019, the park was named to the National Register of Historic Places for its significant contribution to horticultural history in the United States.”
The best time to visit is early May when the lilacs take over the town. You will certainly not be the only tourist there, but everyone will get what they came for: to see the gorgeous lilacs in bloom. The Lilac Time Festival will take over the town with tastings, events, concerts, and even the crowning of the Lilac Princess. If you’re not a fan of the crowds and want to visit in the off-season, the park features a butterfly garden, multiple winding paths, and every holiday season a light show for all ages.
2. Madison Meadow
One of the biggest parks in town, Madison Meadow Park is the star athlete of Lombard. At 85.7 acres, it lands as one of the largest parks in town and is a local favorite for that exact reason. With tons of things to do, this park has something for everyone. Straight from www.lombardparks.com, “Madison Meadow is one of the District’s largest parks frequented by visitors from all surrounding areas. Madison Meadow is home to the state-of-the-art Madison Meadow Athletic Center, a popular suburban 18-hole disc golf course, multiple playgrounds, athletic fields, and a full-size basketball court, skate park, and so much more!”
Because Madison Meadows has so many amenities, here’s a short list of just a few of the amenities at the park.
- Disc Golf Course
- Pond for Fishing
- Tennis Courts
- Garden Plots
- A 1.56-Mile Walking Trail
3. Lombard Common
This is the spot where the summer happens. This 49-acre park on the north side of Lombard is home to the Paradise Bay Water Park, a family favorite for a hot day. Lombardparks.com lists all the things to do here, which include “Hurricane Cove, a zero-depth entry leisure pool with spouts, fountains, water sprays, and whirlpool. Hurricane Cove also hosts Sidewinder (body slide), Wipeout (bowl slide), Pipeline (speed slide), and Alligator Crossing water walk.
Splashdown, a 12-foot dive well, boasts both a 3-meter and 1-meter dive board and drop slide. Dolphin Cove, the 8-lane lap pool, can be set up to encourage lap swim, water basketball, and volleyball.” Trying to remember all these amenities is hard, let alone trying to do them all in one day.
And if you like history, you get a two-for-one deal here. The water park sits right next to the Sheldon Peck Homestead, which is a well-documented Underground Railroad station, and there is also a veteran’s memorial featured on the south end of the park.
4. Terrace View Park
Since not every park needs a water slide, Terrace View Park is frequented by those who prefer sitting and watching nature and time pass. If you’re a fan of bird watching, this is one of the most popular parks in the area for seeing some unique and unusual wildlife. The local experts at Lombard Veterinary Hospital agree: “This park is a great place to go bird watching or to throw a fishing line in and sit under the willow trees. The park sits on 44.5 acres of land and has a trail system just under a mile long.”
Bring your binoculars, a fishing pole, or just a blanket to lay out. The beautiful pond and the hanging willows will provide a quiet and serene spot for you to just enjoy the great outdoors.
From award-winning lilacs to water slides and disc golf courses, Lombard’s parks prove that you don’t really need to leave your hometown to spend a full day outside. Each season brings a new park into rotation, starting with the lilacs in May and cooling off with Lombard Common in July. With 18 parks, the hardest part is picking where to start.