Prospect Heights Parks

Prospect Heights City Background
The city of the quaint village of Prospect Heights began in the middle of the 1930's when two developers created their houses in the rural farmland. Over the years more and more families began to pile in to the area now now known as Prospect Heights. During the time when the city was an unincorporated area of Cook County the area began to swell with more and more people after the 1960's. This made the urge strong for Prospect Heights to become incorporated on January 31th, 1976 exactly 40 years after the first house was made a home.

The Parks

Note: Only some parks in Prospect Heights have sizes listed.
Also, all the parks are in Prospect Heights unless otherwise noted.

John Muir Park-999 Oak Avenue
Starting off on the north side of Prospect Heights, we find Muir Park.  It is conveniently located next to a Wheeling Park District park (Last Four Acres Park) that has plenty of parking for both of the parks.  A path connects the two parks, although they do have trees to define the separation.  Muir Park itself is not bad, and it is helped because of it's association to the JFK Educational Academy.  This also gives Muir Park more parking, as well as a playground.  The rest of Muir Park is a baseball/softball field.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Walking paths, baseball/softball field, soccer fields.

Country Gardens Park-901 North Schoenbeck Road
This park signals the end of the Prospect Heights bike path, along with our next park, Somerset Park.  Country Gardens itself offers amenities on both sides of Stonegate Drive, with the north side housing things like two tennis courts and a basketball court.  The south side of the park is the end of the aforementioned bike path, as well as a new playground.  Both sides having adequate parking lots.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Playground, shelter, picnic area, soccer fields, basketball court, two tennis courts, Prospect Heights bike path.

Somerset Park-204 West Palatine Road
This park is next to Country Gardens Park, and runs along the Prospect Heights bike path.  It is completely open space, and for playing catch with a ball. We wouldn't advise to have a picnic here, because there is also not much shade.
Size-26 Acres
Amenities-Open space, creek, bridge, Prospect Heights bike path.

School Street Park-808 School Street
Along the busy Palatine Road, drivers can pull off to the neighborhood and visit this inviting park.  It is not too quiet, but it can be peaceful.  There are benches beside a path that winds under trees and passes a playground.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Playground, walking path, benches.

Kiwanis Park-712 North Elm Street
Also along Palatine Road, but on the south end, this park is slightly more scenic than School Street Park.  This is mostly because of the small creek that runs through the park.  After you cross the bridge for the stream, you enter a small playground and basketball court.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Half basketball court, playground, bridge, creek, bench.

Walnut Woods-610 North Wheeling Road
Do not call the Walnut Woods a park, because there are no park amenities here.  This is essentially a forest preserve owned by the park district.  There is also a pond on the property's edge, as well as a small parking lot.
Size-8.5 Acres
Amenities-Forest, parking.

Claire Lane Park-617 Claire Lane
This park is closer to "Downtown" Prospect Heights than others, and it also has been recently renovated.  There is a lack of shade, but there is a parking lot so anyone can enjoy the new playground or tennis courts.  Others can have lunch at picnic benches or organize events in the spacious field.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Playground, tennis courts, picnic benches, shelter, field, parking.

Isaak Walton Park-201 North Elmhurst Road
This is the closest thing to a nature preserve that Prospect Heights has.  There is a wooded lake and many paths surround it.  There is a fire pit in the front of the property.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Sensory garden, fire pit, pinic shelter, viewing area, wooded lake, parking.

Lions Park-11 North Elm Street
Lions Park is located north of Old Orchard Country Club and West of "Downtown" Prospect Heights behind the Gary Morava Recreation Center.  At Lions Park, you can park on Elm street or in the parking lot off of Camp McDonald Road.  The West side of the park houses a stadium-type baseball/softball field, while the East side of the park houses six tennis courts and a playground.  Behind everything is a picnic area.  The park is also conveniently located across from the Prospect Heights Library.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Recreation center, swimming pool (outdoor), baseball/softball field, six tennis courts, playground, picnic area, shelter, parking.

Gary Morava Recreation Center-110 West Camp McDonald Road (1-847-394-2848)
Many amenities entice anyone of any Park District to come here.  There is everything from a full size basketball court to an outdoor swimming pool.  Other special amenities like racquetball courts and a dance room round out this recreaton center.  You can also come here to work out at the fitness center or conduct a meeting in a meeting room.  Of course, when you need to relax, there is a whirlpool or a sauna in the "luxury" locker rooms.  The Gary Morava Recreation Center is located on the space of Lions Park.  If you are interested in renting one of the many amenities here, please visit the rentals website here: http://phparkdist.org/Parks-Facilities/facility-rentals.htm.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Basketball court (indoor and full-size), gym, fitness center, dance room, two racquetball courts, outdoor seasonal pool (water slide, zero-depth entry pool, lap lanes), "luxury" locker rooms, saunas, whirlpool, two meeting rooms (plus full size kitchens), parking.

Old Orchard Country Club-700 West Rand Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois (1-847-255-2025)
Midori restaurant catering: 1-847-259-6010
This is undoubtedly the largest of the Prospect Heights parks, and rights near everything.  The course sports 18 holes of rolling hills complete with sand traps, trimmed grass, streams and ponds.  Other than golf, there is also the Midori Restaurant that serves Japanese and American cuisine and is the clubhouse caterer.  The clubhouse is conveniently located next to a parking lot and a banquet facility.
Size-N/A
Amenities-18 hole golf course, clubhouse, banquet facility, Midori Restaurant, parking.

East Wedgewood Park-Oxford Place and Wedgewood Lane (Approx. 5 West Oxford Place)
One of the neighborhood parks, this one is located near the Randhurst shopping complex on the West side between Rand and Elmhurst Roads.  It is quiet, considering the proximity to busy roads, and offers many amenities considering it's size.  There is a playground with two turrets and a half basketball court.  There is also a very small bench below a shelter.  Most of the park is fenced in.
Size-3/4 Acre
Amenities-Playground, half basketball court, bench (covered).

Tully Park-212 Tully Place
Imaginative folks will enjoy this park's open space to play a game or create one of their own.  There is no sign for Tully Park.  It is at the corner of Tully and Owen Place.  We recommend arriving at the park by taking South School Lane north from Euclid, and then making a right onto Tully Place.
Size-1.5 Acres
Amenities-Open space.

Rosemary Roth Park-201 Chester Lane
Venturing further into the neigborhood of Tully Park, we find Roth Park.  It is the same idea as Tully, where you let your imagination decide what to play.  It is slightly smaller, but also quieter, and it offers less shade.
Size-1/2 Acre
Amenities-Open space.

Jaycee Park-4 Compton Lane
Jaycee Park wraps up our tour of Prospect Heights in the same neighborhood as the previous two parks.  But it is also different.  Taking center stage here is the playground that has a center structure, swings, and a sandbox.  The rest of the park is a rectangular field that's perfect for playing a game of impromptu football.  There should be plenty of space on the street to park your car.
Size-N/A
Amenities-Playground, field.

Thank you for reading about the Prospect Heights Park District Parks.  We hope you consider visiting these parks, and why not?  Prospect Heights is so conveniently located near many suburban attractions!  Don't forget to check back often to see our new blog posts and stay updated on Prospect Heights Parks.  If you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to shoot us an e-mail at: biketheparks@gmail.com.
-The Bike The Parks Team