Laurel Park, Highland Park, IL

Laurel Park in Highland Park occupies 20 acres of rolling terrain with mature oak and maple canopy. The park features a 1.2-mile paved loop trail used by residents for walking, jogging, and cycling, plus an adjacent 0.8-mile crushed-stone path that connects to the regional Green Bay Trail. Two tennis courts with night lighting, a lighted baseball diamond, and two full-size soccer fields accommodate organized leagues and casual play. A playground with adaptive equipment and an adjacent splash pad operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Picnic shelters equipped with grills and electrical outlets can be reserved through the Park District. The park sits three blocks from the Metra Union Pacific North line station and one mile from downtown Highland Park’s retail corridor, providing direct access to commuter rail and daily services while remaining within a residential neighborhood buffered by mature tree lines.