Miller Park

Came here on a beautiful Saturday towards the end of April following a long cold harsh Illinois winter. Snow had covered the ground only just a few weeks before both in the central parts of the state and up north in Chicago. On this day though a slight wind could be felt blowing through the 75 degree air. The park was green and the trees a flower. Large stocked lakes take up the southern end of the park. On this day we passed several townsmen fishing with their tents beside them. The nearby pavilion was being prepared for what appeared to be an evening high school prom. Hanging candles adorned the trees leading up to the main entryway. Also on the southern end are 3 courts for tennis. These were fairly busy during our visit. Of course there were friends and families grilling lunch here and there throughout the park. A solitary football player performed various practice runs on the northern end of the park where 10 yard lines had been marked off in a large fresh field set at an angle to the boarders of the park. Despite all the activity in the park it was very peaceful and quiet. Afterwords we enjoyed lunch at the Parkview Inn just off the northwest corner of the park.

Located next to the Miller Park Zoo, this large park is free to enjoy and has lots of activities and open expanses for families and group activities. The centerpiece of the park is a playground with the most impressive water features I’ve ever seen in a public park. Kids can run through a variety of spraying obstacles. Nearby are swings, slides, climbing nets and a small rock climbing wall in the shape of a boulder. The park also sports a locomotive to look at, unfortunately it’s behind a fence.
A great place to spend the afternoon, have a picnic, and lots of fun at no cost!