Veterans Gateway Park

I remember when I was a wee high school lass and this «park» was under construction. And for what it’s worth, «park» is a bit of a misnomer here. Yes, there are some pretty winding paths with lovely landscaping and benches, but it’s also full of concrete and surrounded by plenty of modern strip mall businesses.
All that being said, in addition to the myriad of places to sit, you can bring the kiddos to check out the fountain (in the tiny man made pond) or run through the small splash pad/​makeshift fountain (behind Oberweis). Plus, you’re a stone’s throw away from the library, so make a day of it — take a stroll, get some Menchie’s and snag some books!

Great place to relax outside when the weather is nice. Close to the library, some food and coffee. Just a great area to hang out at especially with kids!

I have driven past here a million times, and finally stopped over here to scope it out. Great place to sit on one of the benches, or enjoy the fountain and read your book you just checked out at the Schaumburg Township Library (freaking love this library omg best library I’ve ever been to omgomgomg)!
I’ve come here a few times too after getting a hot cup o’ Joe (and no I’m not just referring to my husband Joe P.) and stroll around, sipping on my sweet, hot mocha. You can sit and ponder, and take a little break from the crazy hustle and bustle Schaumburg can have you plowing through.
I like this area, it’s a nice little gem. The bubbling & babbling creek is soothing as you sit on the rocks, or on a park bench and just sit. You don’t have to do anything, you can just sit and enjoy this little space of serenity… granted you aren’t there where it’s super busy or there are screaming children unsupervised, which can be dangerous because there are steps leading directly into the pond, with no separation between a toddler, and it’s the murky depths.
So pop on over on your lunch break, or when you need to just chillax somewhere in a quaint little spot like this… it’s comforting and nice!
I bet there is a Schaumburg version of Leslie Knope in the Parks & Rec department that dreamed this sweet spot up as a tribute to the Veterans. and we thank you for it!

OK, true confessions time, fellow Unilocalers.
I’ve been going to the Schaumburg Township District Library ever since I moved to the area. That was in 2001. It’s not the only library I go to on the regular, but I definitely visit it frequently. I’m also a regular at the Schaumburg Farmers Market, which is held across from the Bonefish Grill that’s in the Schaumburg Town Square complex.
Since the Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt place opened, it’s become one of my favorite froyo places in the area (good flavors, reasonable prices, cuteness… yep, all there). I used to go to the Heartland Blood Centers location that was elsewhere in STS, before it closed a few years back.
My point is, I’ve been a regular at this complex for several years.
Somehow, I completely managed to avoid knowing that this park was here THAT ENTIRE TIME. :O
MAJOR FAIL AT LIFE.
My SO and I decided to take a short motorcycle ride after dinner last week to get some froyo. He’d never been to Menchie’s before, but it’s easily my favorite of the places that are close to our house. We got our yogurt and I’d been thinking we could just sit at the little table out front and enjoy the weather. He noticed the long hallway where the washrooms are, and said, «I wonder where this goes?» We started walking down it. I had no idea there was a door back there that led out to the gazebo and duck pond (!!!) in this park.
There’s a beautiful garden, some nice benches, some picnic tables, and that pond. With ducks. All the ducks looked to be female, which I thought was a little strange… usually, you see ducks in male-​female pairs. But they all looked happy enough. With people feeding them all the time, why wouldn’t they be?
To make things absolutely fantastic, there was a free swing band concert going on across the pond. The sound was fantastic on our side, so we sat on a bench under the gazebo, ate our froyo, and enjoyed the music, the weather, and the sunset.
If you want to know when future outdoor concerts are being held, check out the Schaumburg Township District Library’s calendar of events. Look for events called «Summer Sounds on the Green.»
Go and have a wonderful evening! :) I could see coming back here with a nice picnic lunch as well, or even my laptop. Sometimes, you just have to work outside. :)

Army had half-​day, so I decided to spend the afternoon here.
Okay, no. That’s an Arrested Development thing. But with AD coming back so soon, it felt timely and relevant given this a park dedicated to Veterans. I actually came here because I was driving by last week and I spotted a little mouse run across the pavement as I was stopped at the light. I realized the chances of my seeing the little dude here again were slim to none, but I had some spare moments in my afternoon and plus this place had no business photos (which kills me) so I took the opportunity to take a look around.
I’ve driven past here hundreds of time and I’ve never seen anyone in this park ever, which is strange because it’s a really nice park. Large clock tower that dings on the hour, dedicated memorial bricks, the sturdiest benches I’ve ever sat/​laid on, a small area on the North and West side that’s grassy, there’s flowers, and memorials, inspirational quotes, and small pillars with the seals of the different branches of military. Just a really nice quiet place.
i spent some time by the Marine one and gave a nod for my Grandpa and then gave a nod to not only one of my favorite Unilocaler’s Ted C, but also Buster Bluth for his many accolades including marksmanship and sand racing.
I’m excited to have ‘discovered’ this little gem, although it’s not very far off from a rather busy intersection, it’s nice to know that most of the time, I can probably go and pretend it’s my own private park, made just for me and that mouse… when I find him.