Niles Parks

Niles Village Background
Niles is located on the Northeast corner of Chicago, just east of Park Ridge.  It was first known as Dutchmann's Point due to the large amount of German settlers.  The name was later changed to Lyttleton's Point.  The name Niles was chosen by the early 1850 community leaders, when Niles Township was organized.  The name came from the "Niles Register", with was a weekly paper of commercial and political news that was founded in Baltimore by Hezekiah Niles in 1811.  In the 1830s, Postal service between Niles, Illinois and Niles, Michigan developed.  Regular stagecoach service began between the two in 1834.  Niles was officially changed to Niles on May 23, 1850.

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The Parks

Greenwood Park-Near 8409 North Chester Avenue
Greenwood Park is a great park that's easily accessible.  It is right off of Greenwood Avenue, hence the name  Greenwood Park.  The part that takes center stage here is the playground.  It overlooks Greenwood Avenue at a nice distance.  There is a ramp entrance too, so that it is easily accessible for the disabled.  The park also includes a medium sized multi-use field, and a full size basketball court.
Size-1.25 Acres
Amenities-Playground, Basketball court, Field, Picnic area.

Iceland Skate Center-8435 Ballard Road (1-847-297-8010)
Iceland Skate Center is a great place to learn how to skate, compete, or just skate during public hours.  The prices are reasonable.  The indoor ice rink is open year-round.There is adequate parking space and a large field.
The indoor ice rink entrance serves as a great meeting place, and they also serve concessions.
Size-4.30 Acres
Amenities-Indoor ice rink, Concession, Meeting Area, Parking, Field.

Golf Mill Park-Near 9095 North Cumberland Avenue
Golf Mill Park is the perfect location for enjoying nature near Golf Mill.  Literally just a hop, skip, and a jump (across the street) away from the largest shopping mall in Niles.  And the park has plenty to offer, too.  There is a nice large playground with a shelter.  Also, a bandstand is located directly East of the playground.  Other amenities include a large soccer field, basketball courts, and tennis courts.  The park itself also has a large parking lot next to it shared by the bank.
Size-4.55 Acres
Amenities-Playground, Basketball courts, Soccer/Football fields, Shelter, Parking, 2 lighted tennis courts.

Teen Center-239 Golf Mill Center (inside mall, near the south end.) 
They offer many activities and have many resources, but it is (to our knowladge) members only.  Anyone can become a member though, and its open to kids 6th through 12 grade. Downnload a Membership Form here.  Their website is located here: http://www.vniles.com/Content/templates/?a=1361.

Courtland Park-Near 9399 North Washington Street
Courtland Park is also near Golf Mill, and it is even more secluded.  This is one of those parks built under the large electrical wires, but that doesn't really take away from the park much.  There is a small playground and very small shelter on the East end.  There is a large field, then on the West end, tennis and basketball courts.
Size-2.75 Acres
Amenities-Playground, Basketball Court, Open Space, 2 Tennis Courts, Small Gazebo

Washington Terrace Park-Near 8000 West Ballard Rd
This park is a relatively small park with a good bunch of facilities. It is easily accesible because it is right by the intersection of Milwaukee and Dempster. Washington Terrace Park also has a floor hockey rink; the only one in the Niles Park District parks. They also have a baseball diamond plus a basketball court.
Size-2.50 Acres
Amenities-Playground, Basketball Court, Softball/Baseball Fields, Picnic Area, Meeting Area, Parking, Floor Hockey

Oak Park-Near 7635 Lee St. and Ottawa Ave.
Oak Park is a relatively large square park, situated almost in the center of Niles.  It has the usual park amenities of tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, and baseball fields.  Also, its the only park in Niles that is an outdoor ice skating arena in the winter months.  There is also a size-able parking lot, as well as a shelter.
Size-5.26 Acres
Amenities-Playground, 2 unlighted tennis courts, basketball court, softball/baseball fields, outdoor ice skating (seasonal), picnic area, parking.

Grennan Heights Park-8255 Oketo Ave. (1-847-583-2724)
This is one of Niles Park District's facilities.  They have a wonderful indoor facility which consists of a gymnasium, preschool, and bathrooms.  The outdoor portion of this park has a playground, and various sports fields.  They have a preschool here named "Bright Beginnings Preschool", also.  This location is a 4 year old classroom.
Size-3.67 Acres
Amenities-Playground, 2 lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, softball/baseball fields, football/soccer fields, meeting area, Bright Beginnings Preschool.

Chesterfield Gardens Park-Near Shermer Rd. and Niles Ave.
Chesterfield Gardens park (also known as Chesterfield Park) is a very small neighborhood park.  It has a very small hill and playground.  Also, there is a full basketball court, and a few walking paths.  It is conveniently located just 2 block south of the busty intersection of Dempster and Shermer, yet it is a quiet and serene escape.
Size-.25 Acres
Amenities-Playground, basketball court.

Point Park-Near Waukegan Rd.  and Shermer Rd.
Point park is also a small park, and located just 6 blocks south of Chesterfield Gardens park.  Its a modest triangle shaped park with a playground and picnic area.  Though not quite as quiet as Chesterfield, it is easier to get to.
Size-.50 Acres
Amenities-Playground, picnic area.

N.I.C.O Park-Keeney St. and New England Ave.
N.I.C.O Park is a normal park (if there is a normal), and its serves it purpose well.  Along with an interesting little south point where the basketball court is, it is also surrounded by houses.  A nice playground, and the  half-basketball court, strung along the west end of the park round out one half.  The east end of the park includes a baseball field and a lighted tennis court.
Size-2.03 Acres
Amenities-Playground, 1 lighted tennis court, basketball court, softball/baseball field, picnic area, shelter.

Kirk Lane Park-Jonquil Terrace and Waukegan Road (approx. 7745 North Waukegan Road)
Kirk lane park is extremely conveniently located.  Though it doen't offer the peacfullness ofother parks, it is close to a larger shopping mall, where you can get food and then have a picnic at the park.
Size-4.50 Acres
Amenities-Playground, 2 lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic area, small hill.

Golf View Recreation Center-7800 North Caldwell (1-847-967-1529)
This is Niles' main recreation center.  It boasts an indoor 2 court gymnasium, free indoor track, as well as the weight room, fitness room, and lockers/showers.  Although most of the Recreation center requires a membership for access, they still have open gym and a free indoor track.  Prices are from their website and current as of 10/19/11:
 Open Gym Fees
Ages 3-14: $3.00
Ages 15-17: $5.00
Ages 18 and up: $8.00
The Golf View Recreation Center is open on the following days/hours:
Golf View Recreation Hours
Monday-Thursday: 6:00 am-10:00 pm
Friday: 6:00 am-9:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 am-9:00 pm
There is also a concession area.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Basketball courts (indoor, fee for use), concession/vending machines, meeting area, parking.

Tam Tennis Club-7686 North Caldwell (1-847-967-1400)
The Tam Tennis Club is an official USTA Tennis Welcome Center, just south of the Golf View Rec. Center.  The best part about the tennis center is that they have member and non member classes.  There are 8 full indoor lighted tennis courts, and plentyof parking.  It is i the area south of Oakton St., and North of Howard St.  This are is also located east of Waukegan Rd.  There are tennis lessons for all ages, and experienced staff.  They have drop in or traveling tennis leagues.  And to arm up for tennis, they have a fitness center.  The open hours and childcare are as follow:
Facility Hours:
-Monday-Thursday.......6:00 am-10:00 pm
-Friday.........................6:00 am-9:00 pm
-Saturday-Sunday........7:00 am-9:00 pm
Childcare:
-Monday-Friday...........9:00 am-3:00 pm (6700 Howard Street)
-Free With Membership
-Non member - $7/ Child
Size-2.50 Acres
Amenities-8 full indoor lighted tennis courts (fee for use), parking.

Driving Range-7680 North Caldwell
The driving range is located next door to the tennis club, just south of the Recreation Center.  The "lobby" of the driving range is relatively small, but that leaves room for the larger outdoor driving range.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Driving range, parking.

Howard Leisure Center and Fairway Banquets-6676 Howard Street (1-847-967-6633)
The Leisure Center is located around the corner from the Driving range, just east of the North Branch Bike Trail.  The center offers many classes.  Park information is available here, too.  The Leisure Center is one of the Bright Beginnings Preschool locations.  Fairway Banquets is also located in this same building.  It hosts wedding receptions, lunch events, and dinner events.  The Banquets'  phone number is 1-847-583-8720 and their e-mail is info@fairwaybanquets.com.  Also, here is their website: http://fairwaybanquets.com.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Bright Beginnings Preschool, meeting area, parking.

Howard Street Inn-6700 Howard Street (1-847-583-0795)
The Howard Street Inn is located right on the Tam O'Shanter Golf course.  Its website information can found here: http://www.howardstreetinn.com/.  Their kitchen hours are: Sun-Tues 11am-10pm and Wed-Sat 11am-12am.  The bar hours are: 7am-2am every day in the summer.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Restaurant, parking.

Tam O'Shanter Golf Course-6700 Howard Street (1-847-965-2344)
The golf course offers a 9 hole course, as well as a Pro-Shop, putting green, and more.  Outings, leagues, and permanent tee times can scheduled at the Pro-Shop.  It is open 7 days a week from April to December, and they have a multitude of items/clubs/balls and more to rent, as well as golf carts and pull carts.  For pricing information, call their phone (1-847-965-2344),
or visit their website at: http://niles-parks.org/content/templates/npd_cnt_fac_tg.asp?articleid=13&zoneid=31
Size-37.50 Acres
Amenities- Restaurant, parking.

Wetlands-Howard Street and North Branch of Chicago River
The wetlands are a serene and peaceful part of Niles.  Though relatively small in size, it is one of the least appreciated parks of Niles.  It is also right next to the Sourthern part of the North Branch bike trail.  At the park, there is a small gravel parking lot, and a gravel path leading down to a gazebo overlooking a pond.  It is very buggy though, so be prepared.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Shelter, parking.

Park Services Department-7530 Oak Park Avenue (1-847-647-6777)
This is the place that makes things happen at the parks.  Whether its cleaning, clearing, or any maintenance of any kind, it all starts from here.  The building is located  down a small street off of Howard, and its in an industrial are.  While mostly offices, it is a great place to call if you have safety concerns or think a park needs servicing.
Size-N/A
Amenities-N/A

Pioneer Park-Touhy  Avenue and Harlem Avenue (1-847-583-2746)
Pioneer park is a great place to go if you're looking for some outdoor activities.  They have an 18 hole challenging miniature golf course, that's only $6.50 per person no matter the age.  Where you would buy your tickets, they have a concession stand. There is also automatic batting cages with 5 baseball cages, and 2 softball cages.  The playground here is nice and large.  The rest of the park is taken up by football/soccer and softball/baseball fields.  Its also conveniently located across the street from Brooks park, a Chicago Park District park.
Size-7.10 Acres
Amenities-Playground, football/soccer fields, 2 baseball/softball fields, picnic area, concessions, batting cages,  miniature golf, meeting area, parking.

Oasis Fun Center-7877 North Milwaukee Avenue (1-857-967-6648)
Mostly a water-park, Oasis Fun Center is a great half day activity.  There is a large slide, as well as a small slide for littler children.  They have a zero-depth entry pool, with fun water pipes.  A water playgrounf is roped off in the corner, so parents can watch their kids and relax at the same time!  The deeper end of the pool hosts a drop slide, and 2 diving boards.  All this, and look at the price:
Daily Rates-

OASIS FUN CENTER	Res	Non-Res
Youth (3-12 yrs)	$6	$6
Adult	$8	$11
Senior (62+)	$6	$9

This is their website:
http://niles-parks.org/content/templates/npd_cnt_fac_os.asp?articleid=9&zoneid=27

And the Aquatics main page:
http://www.niles-parks.org/content/templates/npd_cnt_prog_sm.asp?articleid=490&zoneid=16


Triangle Park-Next to Oasis Fun Center on Milwaukee Avenue
This park is next to the water-park, and named "Triangle Park".  It is a fairly large park, and maintained by the Knights Of Columbus and Niles Park District.  Though it isn't officially on the Niles Park map, it is legitimate and convenient.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Playground, shelter, picnic area, parking.

Jonquil Terrace Park-Near 7576 Mulford Street, also accessible from Oriole Avenue
Jonquil Terrace Park is a park as any, but it is large.  There is a nice playground near Mulford, and just North are the tennis courts.  The rest of the park is a large field and 2 baseball/softball fields.
Size-4.60 Acres
Amenities-Playground, 2 lighted tennis courts, softball/baseball fields, shelter, parking.

Oakton Manor Park-8100 Ozark Avenue (1-847-825-1594)
This is the last location for the Bright Beginnings Preschool.  The building here is very small, but at least there is some open space.  There are 2 playgrounds, spaced out a little from each other.  The rest of the park is 1 tennis court, and a large field with a softball/baseball diamond.
Size-1.80 Acres
Amenities-Playground, 1 unlighted tennis court, softball/ baseball field, picnic area, shelter.

Thank you for reading our post about the Niles parks.  We hope you enjoyed it, and check back often to see more parks, cities, and trails.  If you have any questions, please shoot us an e-mail at biketheparks@gmail.com.
-The Bike The Parks Team