Summer Winds Down . . .

As summer winds down and we get ready for the school year, just remember there are still several good bike riding months ahead of us. Keep riding and feel free to share your stories about your visit to any of our parks.

History of the Indian Tree Marker

Before enjoying a bike ride to Indian Hill Park (131 Wilson St.) get a little history lesson compliments on the Winnetka Historical Society. Check out this article on Tree Markers.

Then make your way to Indian Hill Park to see an example of the Indian Tree Marker and enjoy the new playground.

Enjoy your ride!

Just Ride

Today is going to be a beautiful day, so I'm making this quick, just get out there and ride. Enjoy your day! I'll follow up with a park update on Wednesday, today I'm riding.

A Place for Reflection

Last fall, I had an opportunity to visit Bell Woods and was blown away by its beauty and tranquility. It is a great place to escape from everyday life and just reflect on the moment. It is a place where clarity can be found. Make sure to make a point to enjoy this park (especially in the fall) located on Tower Road just west of Bell Lane.

Keep riding . . .

It's All About The Soccer . . . And Then Some

When you think of Nick Corwin Park, you can't help think soccer. This six acre park is home to a great deal of soccer during both the fall and spring months. This neighborhood park is located west of Grove Street at Edgewood Lane. It's a great, active park that has open green space and a playground.

The two features that I love about this park is the entrance way that leads to the playground (you'll just have to check it out) and the tree lined borders of this park.

Make sure to stop by on your next bike ride.

Keep riding . . .

A Little Pocket Of Fun

In the northeast corner of the Winnetka Park District is a great little park, called Glencoe Park. It serves our Glencoe residents that are in our Park District. It is in a beautiful and quite neighborhood at the corner of Woodlawn and Glenwood.

When we visited it on our "tour" last fall several neighbors came out to visit. Some that no longer have young children, but enjoy the fact that there is a nice place for the neigbhorhood children to play.

This park has a playground and a small ballfield with a nice open field for pick up games.

It is a great little visit. Make sure to stop by.

Keep riding . . .

Beach Weather

Today will be hot and humid, the perfect weather to head to the beach. The Winnetka Park District offers three swim beaches (click here for more information) one boating/sailing beach (Click here for more information) and even a beach where your dog can cool off (click here for more information.

Enjoy this link to some of our Facebook beach photos (click here) or visit www.facebook.com/winnetkaparkdistrict. You don't even have to be on Facebook to view the site.

Stay cool and keep biking . . .

Home Alone? Get Out And Ride

Hubbard Woods Park has quite a history and is a focal point in the Hubbard Woods Business District. It's a great park to enjoy a picnic (lots of shade), enjoy a concert (Harris Bank Summer Concerts), play at the playgrounda nd enjoy the outdoor rink during the winter months.

This famous park was featured in the movie "Home Alone" is 1990.

It's a great park to visit on your tour this summer, especially when you have out of town guests and you want to share a little park trivia.
Keep riding . . .

Hot Dogs, Get Your FREE Hot Dogs!

In honor of National Hot Dog Day the Winnetka Park District recreation staff will be serving up FREE hot dogs from 11 am - 1 pm at Tower Road Beach and Elder Lane Beach.

So ride your bikes down to the beach, cool off and have a free hot dog on us!

Keep on riding . . .

Rolling Advertisement

Have you seen the rolling advertisement yet? Hopefully while you are out bike riding you will get an opportunity to see the Park staff's mowing trailer. It is quite a tribute to the beautiful parks in Winnetka. The Park staff is enjoying all the smiles and thumbs up by residents as they pass by.

If you see it on one of your rides, let us know what you think or even better take a picture of you and family and send it to us to post or just post on this blog.

Until next time . . . keep riding.

Those in Winnetka, Go West

For those living in Winnetka, head west and check out Northfield Park and Happ Road Park, both in Northfield. They are both great parks for different reasons.

Northfield Park is a 1.98 acre park tucked back off the (Edens) Frontage Road at Lockwood and Sunset. Back in this quiet park is open space, picnic area, playground and a ballfield. During the winter it is home to one of our three outdoor ice rinks.

I like Happ Road Park for the great use of space. This .38 acre park offers a small tot lot and the only basketball courts the Park District has in any park.

Take your own ride over to the Winnetka Park District's two parks in Northfield and find out how great these parks are for yourself.

Keep riding . . .

The Summer Is Not Over . . .

After July 4th, some parents (know from experience) panic that the summer is passing us by and soon school will be starting. Stop panicking! We have plenty of summer left to enjoy with our family and friends. Our beaches, parks and facilities continue to provide plenty of opportunity for summer fun.

Ride over to a park or beach today! For continued family fun visit www.winpark.org for up-to-date ideas.

Until next time . . .

Busy July 4th Weekend in Winnetka

Today we stray from talk about parks to the actual events going on this weekend at the Winnetka Park District. July 4th weekend is typically one of the busiest weekends at the Winnetka Park District. Why you ask? Here you go . . .

1. Nielsen USTA Pro Tennis Championship
This event runs through the evening of Saturday, July 3. Today and tomorrow should be some incredible tennis right here at the Winnetka Park District's own A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center. For more information visit www.nielsenprotennis.com.

2. Firecracker 5K & 1 1/2 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk
This annual event run by our outstanding Recreation Department and sponsored by the Winnetka Parks Foundation is on Saturday, July 3. Booth events step off at the Village Green, 5K at 8 am and Fun Run/Walk at 8:30 am. It is a great family event to jump start the holiday weekend. Visit www.winpark.org for more information.

3. 2010 Fourth of July in Winnetka
Parade, Races on the Green, Fourthfest, Fireworks, oh my! It is a wonderful day of celebration in Winnetka. The parade steps off from Glendale and Elm at 1 pm (new start time) and ends at the Village Green for the Children's Flag Parade and the much anticipated Races on the Green. Fourfest (food, children's entertainment, music) begins at 6:30 pm at Duke Childs Field. All leading up to the most fabulous FIREWORKS on the North Shore at 9:15 pm. More information is available at www.winpark.org.

4. Golfing, Swimming, Boating and More
Our regular summer operations are in full gear and ready for your visit!

As you can see we are plenty busy this weekend. We hope to see you out and about (especially on bikes) enjoying the festivities and services offered by the Winnetka Park District!

Happy Independence Day!

Crow Island Park Is Rich In History

Crow Island Park is the second largest park (17.91 acres)in the Winnetka Park District. It's a wonderful place for picnics, nature walks and family gatherings. Thanks to the Winnetka Parks Foundation, Crow Island Park is home to the "Friendship Circle", a permanent fire pit for large bonfires.

Crow Island Park is also home to the Winnetka Historical Society's Schmidt-Burnham Log House, built circa 1837 and was relocated to the site in 2003. To read more visit the Historical Society's website at http://winnetkahistory.org/.

This park is a wonderful stop on any bike tour. Until next time, keep riding.

Bike Riding Weather

Looking at the extended forecast . . . we now have several great days of bike riding ahead of us. That is great news with the July 4th weekend coming up. Enjoy your rides and make sure to let us know how you are doing!

On Wednesday I will share a little information about Crow Island Park.

Keep riding . . .

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Ok, so today may not be the best day for a bike ride. This would be a good day to read about a family and their bike adventure. Check out the Murr Family at http://www.murrbike.com/. There is also links to their facebook, twitter and flickr pages. Here's waht they say about their adventure on Facebook . . . "Brady wears a cape. Jane has 8 imaginary sisters. We're biking across America this summer with kids! We're undertaking this adventure to promote family engagement, health, and environmental mindfulness. Thank you for your support and curiosity!"

The Monday Morning Commute

Since this is the start of the work week for most I thought it would be great to write a little bit about Station Park. It is a great little park right next to the Winnetka Metra Station. It is nice place to visit before your busy day and is even better at the end of a long work day.

Even if you don't have a commute this park is in a great location to the central business district and right across the from the library. There is plenty of seating to read a book or just reflect before moving on to the next step in your busy lives.

Enjoy this beautiful .83 acre park and keep riding . . .

The Heart of Winnetka - Village Green

Village Green is a 3.36 acre park owned by the Village and maintained by the Park District. It is the community gathering point for several large scale events such as Memorial Day Ceremony, Winnetka Children's Fair, Fourth of July Children's Flag Parade/Races on the Green and Veteran's Day. It is a beautiful open space ready to handle large groups.

The playground is slated for renovation in 2011, with the Winnetka Park District currently conducting community meetings to meet the needs of its users. Today at 9:00 am is another of those public meetings. The meeting will be held at the Winnetka Women's Club across from the park, with a site visit as part of the meeting.

Happy Father's Day weekend to all! Make sure to get out and ride with DAD!

Have a picnic at Dwyer Park

Dwyer Park is a great park to meet up with friends for a picnic lunch (especially for those with young kids). There is the great playground and just south of the playground is an open area with a lot of shade (perfect for the picnic portion).

This park is located just west of the Post Office in the heart of downtown Winnetka. Enjoy your visit. Love to see a photo or two from your adventures.

Welcome new families to the Tour . . . Free Family, Whalen Family, Merlin Family.

Keep Riding!

Welcome to the Tour

A quick "shout out" to the first families to sign up for the 2010 Tour de Winnetka Parks.

Hope you are enjoying the ride . . . Hall Family, Hovey Family, Gardener Family, Cohen Family, Moloney Family, Howard Family, Weber Family and Burke Family.

Hope to hear about your adventures this summer. Feel free to post on this site, share your own photos, videos, etc.

Keep riding and enjoying your summer at the Winnetka Park District!

Ride or "Hop" on Down To West Elm Park

Just east of Skokie Playfield down Elm St. is West Elm Park. This park is a beautiful open space maybe best know for the visitor that comes by every spring. Any guesses?

Enjoy the summer weather this weekend. Lots happening in Winnetka this weekend, including opening weekend at the beaches, antique show at the Winnetka Ice Arena and the Children's Fair at Village Green.

. . . keep on riding

Skokie Playfield - The Hub of the WPD

On the self-guided tour you will find all rides start and finish at Skokie Playfield. This 162.55 acre park is our largest park with a majority of our facilities including . . . A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center, Winnetka Golf Club (9 and 18 holes), Winnetka Ice Arena, Platform Tennis Facility and our Administrative Offices. A great deal of our open space at the park is home to baseball, soccer, girls and adult softball, football, lacrosse, field hockey, t-ball, sports performance camps and more. On an given day there is something going on here! Special events such as Oktoberfest (October 2 this year) use the central location as an ideal setting for the community to get together.

The Winnetka Park District has been working on an updated master plan for this area. Information about that project is available at http://www.winpark.org/ under Skokie Playfield and Strategic Plan. The community will be asked about their future thoughts regarding this park during our community-wide survey that will go out this month.

Read more about the history of Skokie Playfield in the 2010 Tour de Winnetka Parks packet available at the Administrative Office (540 Hibbard Rd.)

The next blog entry will feature information about West Elm Park.

Get your beach passes (beaches open June 11) and stop by the antique show at the Winnetka Ice Arena this weekend and most of all . . . keep riding.

Let The Touring Begin

On Saturday, June 5 the Winnetka Park District held an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Service Center. This facility located at the landfill (behind the Village Public Works) serves as operation headquarters for the Parks Department. It is fitting to share a photo of the event as we start the self-guided 2010 Tour de Winnetka Parks. The park staff are those individuals responsible for the landscape and beauty of our parks. They quietly go about their job with little or no fanfare. Thank you Robert Smith and the rest of the parks staff for doing such a good job!

Look for my next posting tomorrow as I will share a little history about Skokie Playfield, the starting and ending point of all the tours. Did you pick up your tour packet yet?

Start riding . . .