Village Park Site/Nature Preserve, Gurnee, IL

Village Park Site/Nature Preserve occupies 110 acres of woodland, wetland, and open space along Gurnee’s western edge. A 1.8-mile paved loop trail circles the property, connecting to the Des Plaines River Trail and giving residents direct access for walking, running, or cycling without driving to a trailhead. Two fishing ponds are stocked annually by the Lake County Forest Preserves, and a small boat launch allows kayaks and canoes. Picnic shelters, restrooms, and a playground sit near the main parking area on Stearns School Road, while an archery range and two disc-golf baskets are located farther into the preserve. The site is less than three miles from Gurnee Mills and I-94, placing retail, dining, and regional commuting within a short drive. Seasonal mowing keeps meadow sections open for informal field sports, and the surrounding tree canopy provides shade along most of the trail.

Playground