{"id":407378,"date":"2022-03-22T09:54:43","date_gmt":"2022-03-22T14:54:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/?p=407378"},"modified":"2022-03-22T15:15:28","modified_gmt":"2022-03-22T20:15:28","slug":"top-8-parks-and-forest-preserves-in-western-suburbs-for-a-spring-picnic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/top-8-parks-and-forest-preserves-in-western-suburbs-for-a-spring-picnic\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 8 Parks and Forest Preserves in Western Suburbs for a Spring Picnic"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spring has finally sprung across Chicago! Warmer temperatures, sunnier days, and the urge to spend your days outside are upon us. There\u2019s no better way to spend a flawless spring day than by <a href=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/10-chicago-rooftop-bars-you-can-kick-back-at-right-now\/\">getting out of the house<\/a>, heading to your favorite park, snacking on some favorites, and soaking up the sun. Whether you\u2019re looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city for the day, or already live out in the west, pack your picnic baskets and head to one of these parks and forest preserves in western suburbs and take in everything spring has to offer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"sbi-embed-wrap\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media sbi-embed\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CTNSBmILPjS\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CTNSBmILPjS\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/p>\n<div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CTNSBmILPjS\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Roselle Park District (@roselleparkdistrict)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rparks.org\/parks-and-facilities\/turner-park\">Turner Park\u00a0<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><b>181 E Devon, Roselle, IL 60172<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nestled into the quaint little town of Roselle, you\u2019ll find Turner Park. With a fishing pond, dock, splash pad, and 15 acres to spread out on, this is the best place for a springtime picnic. Around Roselle, you\u2019ll find plenty of restaurants to pick food up from if packing an old-fashioned basket seems too strenuous for a relaxing day. Check out 1913 Restaurant and 8000 Miles for mouth-watering takeout options.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_407395\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-407395\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-407395\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Usher-Park-.jpg\" alt=\"wesley g usher memorial park\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Usher-Park-.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Usher-Park--300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Usher-Park--370x278.jpg 370w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Usher-Park--842x632.jpg 842w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Usher-Park--406x305.jpg 406w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Usher-Park--600x450.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-407395\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image Credit: Wesley G. Usher Memorial Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.afar.com\/places\/wesley-g-usher-memorial-park-itasca\">Wesley G. Usher Memorial Park<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><b>200 E Irving Park Rd, Itasca, IL 60143<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking for a nice little park complete with swan (yes, real swans!) take a stop in Itasca at Usher Park. This charming spot can be found right in the middle of downtown Itasca, and is a picturesque spot to spend a nice day. With a gazebo and built in tables, there are plenty of areas to enjoy a homemade lunch with family and friends. Along with a small pond, there is plenty of space to sprawl out on a blanket and watch the clouds go by.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_407396\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-407396\" style=\"width: 1294px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-407396\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Mallard-Lake-.png\" alt=\"mallrd lake\" width=\"1294\" height=\"774\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Mallard-Lake-.png 1294w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Mallard-Lake--300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Mallard-Lake--370x221.png 370w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Mallard-Lake--842x504.png 842w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Mallard-Lake--406x243.png 406w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Mallard-Lake--600x359.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1294px) 100vw, 1294px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-407396\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image Credit: Mallard Lake Forest Preserve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dupageforest.org\/places-to-go\/forest-preserves\/mallard-lake\">Mallard Lake Forest Preserve<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><b>Schick Rd and Mallard Ln, Hanover Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are days spent in nature and near the water calling your name? Head over to Mallard Lake. This 948-acre forest preserve has everything to make your picnic day complete. Four miles of walking and biking trails? Yep. A huge lake for fishing and kayaking? You got it. With plenty of spots to picnic, bird-watch, and look for bullfrogs and beavers, your day at Mallard Lake will feel anything but incomplete.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_407397\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-407397\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-407397\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Busse-Woods.jpg\" alt=\"busse woods forest preserve\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Busse-Woods.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Busse-Woods-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Busse-Woods-391x260.jpg 391w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Busse-Woods-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Busse-Woods-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Busse-Woods-842x561.jpg 842w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Busse-Woods-406x270.jpg 406w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Busse-Woods-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-407397\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image Credit: Busse Woods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/fpdcc.com\/places\/locations\/busse-woods\/\">Busse Woods (Ned Brown Forest Preserve)<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><b>Higgins Rd and Arlington Heights Rd, Elk Grove Village\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From sunrise to sunset, you\u2019ll be busy at Busse Woods. Start your morning with a long walk. Enjoy your picnic in one of their (many) scenic groves. Rent some kayaks in the afternoon and relax on the water. The possibilities for activity are truly endless at Busse Woods. Oh, and don\u2019t forget to stop at the elk pasture to catch a glimpse at the town\u2019s namesake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_407398\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-407398\" style=\"width: 1292px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-407398\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Spring-Creek-Reservoir.png\" alt=\"Spring Creek Reservoir\" width=\"1292\" height=\"773\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Spring-Creek-Reservoir.png 1292w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Spring-Creek-Reservoir-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Spring-Creek-Reservoir-370x221.png 370w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Spring-Creek-Reservoir-842x504.png 842w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Spring-Creek-Reservoir-406x243.png 406w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Spring-Creek-Reservoir-600x359.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1292px) 100vw, 1292px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-407398\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image Credit: Spring Creek Reservoir<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dupageforest.org\/places-to-go\/forest-preserves\/spring-creek-reservoir\">Spring Creek Reservoir<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><b>303 E Lake St, Bloomingdale, IL 60108<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Right off of Lake St, you\u2019ll find Spring Creek Reservoir. With a nicely paved path for walking, running, and biking, you\u2019re sure to find something to do before you sit down and enjoy a picnic at one of the provided tables. Best enjoyed on a warm, Spring day, Spring Creek is a great spot for a weekend picnic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"sbi-embed-wrap\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media sbi-embed\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CAnSTeTAp9o\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CAnSTeTAp9o\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/p>\n<div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CAnSTeTAp9o\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Carol Stream Park District (@csparkdistrict)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.csparks.org\/parks\/veterans-park\/\">Veteran&#8217;s Park\u00a0<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><b>200 W Lies Rd, Carol Stream, IL 60188<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Veteran\u2019s Park is a small gem in the middle of Carol Stream. With a special homage to the military community and veterans alike, you\u2019ll find memorials for veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and more. Spend the afternoon here soaking up the sun, relaxing, and savoring your favorite picnic-style favorites.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_407399\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-407399\" style=\"width: 1620px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-407399 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/East-Branch-Forest-Preserve-.jpg\" alt=\"East Branch Forest Preserve western suburb\" width=\"1620\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/East-Branch-Forest-Preserve-.jpg 1620w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/East-Branch-Forest-Preserve--300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/East-Branch-Forest-Preserve--391x260.jpg 391w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/East-Branch-Forest-Preserve--1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/East-Branch-Forest-Preserve--370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/East-Branch-Forest-Preserve--842x561.jpg 842w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/East-Branch-Forest-Preserve--406x271.jpg 406w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/East-Branch-Forest-Preserve--600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1620px) 100vw, 1620px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-407399\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image Credit: East Branch Forest Preserve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dupageforest.org\/places-to-go\/forest-preserves\/east-branch\">East Branch Forest Preserve<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><b>1901 Glen Ellyn Rd, Lombard, IL 60148<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While East Branch Forest Preserve is mainly a wetland, there are definitely spots to set up a blanket and immerse yourself in all that the natural area has to offer. Once you\u2019ve enjoyed your favorite lunch or snacks, be on the lookout for white-tailed deer, great blue herons, and even bald eagles. Plan on bringing your pup to the picnic? You can find an off-leash area to let your furry companion run around and play with other dogs!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_407400\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-407400\" style=\"width: 900px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-407400 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Churchill-Woods-.jpg\" alt=\"Churchill Woods forest preserve west suburbs\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Churchill-Woods-.jpg 900w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Churchill-Woods--300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Churchill-Woods--391x260.jpg 391w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Churchill-Woods--370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Churchill-Woods--842x561.jpg 842w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Churchill-Woods--406x271.jpg 406w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Churchill-Woods--600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-407400\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image Credit: Churchill Woods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dupageforest.org\/places-to-go\/forest-preserves\/churchill-woods\">Churchill Woods<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><b>St Charles Rd, Lombard, IL<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though it\u2019s considered one of the smaller forest preserves in the area, Churchill Woods is not lacking in space to have an outstanding afternoon outdoors. With tons of plants to admire and natural grassy areas, your picnic will be surrounded with sweet smells and a peaceful atmosphere. Go ahead, stop and smell the flowers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Featured Image Credit:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spring has finally sprung across Chicago! Warmer temperatures, sunnier days, and the urge to spend your days outside are upon us. There\u2019s no better way to spend a&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2268,"featured_media":407401,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26325],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-407378","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-category-spring-hub"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.4 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Top 8 Parks and Forest Preserves in Western Suburbs | UrbanMatter<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Spring is here! 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