About This Playground
🌳 Lords Park in Elgin, Illinois features multiple playground areas within its 108-acre community park. The playgrounds are integrated within a larger recreational space that includes a zoo, swimming pool, pavilions, and natural areas.
Visitor Experience: The playgrounds at Lords Park generally receive positive reviews, with visitors appreciating the variety of equipment and the park's natural setting. Families particularly enjoy the ability to combine playground time with other park attractions like the zoo.>
More about this playground
Playground Type
Address
100 Oakwood Blvd, Elgin, IL 60120, USA
Phone
(847) 531-7000
+1 847-531-7000
Coordinates
42.04193, -88.26147
Hours of Operation
Hours may vary during holidays. Please call ahead for confirmation.
Playground Features
Age Suitability
The playgrounds accommodate various age groups with separate areas for toddlers (2-5 years) and older children (5-12 years).
Equipment Available
Play structures include slides, swings, climbing structures, monkey bars, and spinning equipment. The playground has updated equipment with multiple interactive elements.
Shaded Areas
Some mature trees provide natural shade around the playground areas, though the main equipment is positioned in full sun.
Seating For Parents
Several benches and picnic tables are placed around the playground perimeter for parents and caregivers to supervise children.
Restroom Availability
Public restrooms are available near the playground area during park operating hours.
Drinking Fountains
Drinking fountains are located near the restrooms and playground areas, though some visitors note they may be seasonal.
Safety Accessibility
Fencing
The playgrounds are partially bounded by natural features and landscaping but do not have complete perimeter fencing.
Surface Material
The playgrounds feature a combination of engineered wood fiber mulch and rubber surfacing in high-impact areas.
Ada Accessibility
The newer playground sections include ramps and accessible equipment for children with mobility challenges.
Cleanliness Maintenance
The park staff regularly maintains the playgrounds, though some reviews mention occasional litter during peak usage times.
Additional Amenities
Nearby Parking
Free parking lots are available with convenient access to the playground areas.
Pet Policy
Leashed dogs are allowed in the park but not in the playground areas or zoo for safety reasons.
Bike Racks
Bike racks are installed near the main pavilion and playground entrance.
Nearby Food Options
Picnic areas are available for families bringing their own food. Seasonal concessions may be available at the pool area. Downtown Elgin restaurants are within driving distance.
Sports Areas
The park includes baseball fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts near the playground areas.
Walking / Biking Trails Nearby
Paved walking paths circle the park and connect various amenities, making it easy to combine playground visits with nature walks.
Community Reviews
User Submitted Photos
Many visitors share photos of children enjoying the playground equipment and the adjacent zoo animals.
Recent Reviews
Recent reviews praise the variety of activities available and note the playground's integration with the natural park setting.
Crowd Levels
The playground can become busy on weekends and during summer months, especially when special events are occurring.
Special Events
The park hosts seasonal events including summer concerts, fall festivals, and holiday celebrations that increase usage of all park facilities.
User Experience
Entrance Fee
The playground and general park access are free. The zoo is also free, though the swimming pool has a separate admission fee.
Space For Groups
The playground area can accommodate birthday parties and small group gatherings, with nearby pavilions available for reservation.
Nature Connection
The playgrounds are set within a park with mature trees, ponds, and natural areas, offering children connection to nature during play.
Noise Level
The noise level varies depending on crowd size but is generally moderate with natural sounds from the surrounding park.
Aesthetic Design
The playground design incorporates natural colors and materials that blend with the historic park setting.
Safety Regulations
Security Presence
Park staff and occasional police patrols monitor the area, particularly during busy times and events.
Rules Restrictions
Standard playground rules apply, including adult supervision requirements, no smoking, and age-appropriate use of equipment.
First Aid Availability
Park staff are trained for basic first aid. The nearby pool facility has additional first aid capabilities during operating seasons.
Community Interaction
Community Activities
The playground serves as a community gathering place, with organized activities sometimes taking place in adjacent park areas.
Social Interaction
The design of the playground encourages cooperative play and social interaction between children.
Sustainability Environment
Eco Friendly Practices
The park incorporates native plantings around playground areas and practices sustainable landscaping.
Renewable Energy
Some lighting fixtures around the park use solar power, though this is limited near the playground areas.
Walkability Bike Access
The park is connected to local bike paths and is walkable from some nearby neighborhoods, promoting car-free access.
Reviews
Stephanie “The Chicago Mom”
6 months ago
Right next to the Elgin public museum ( FYI, it’s not free but cheep and has AC) and little free zoo and water park ( kinda pricy ) but it’s in view so I mention to grown ups of lil to beware, cause we didn’t bring our suits that day, “good times” … lots of space to run and play sprawling grounds. Also a security guard was present on the ground in the parking lot area or have been every time I’ve been which was comforting the time we seemed to be one of the few people there that day as it’s quite a large area and butts right up to area homes. Great park could use better or more clearly marked facilities , restrooms and water fountains. Also on an interesting side note… they had some folks kinda off by the zoo entrance which butts up to the park and courts area who were there “peddling” their faith in the parking lot. I’m not downing or demonizing religions, this world needs something, peoples are hurting and we all desperately needs peace, but not too many religions practice what they preach. So I choose to turn the other cheek, no harm to me, but just speak to let you know. As they were non-confrontational folks we saw didn’t overtly attempt to speak to us ( just two quiet ladies standing by their kart ) but seen them there twice now with a rack of brochures about Jesus I believe. I have my faith ( I’m all good) just thought to share as I’ve not come across this often.
View on GoogleNick Lariviere
7 months ago
Great park for a walk and plenty of playground spaces. The farm zoo isn't huge, but the kids had a load of fun with the scavenger hunt there and seeing the animals up close.
View on Googleshesangs2
6 years ago
I love this park! The groundskeepers are so kind and I can see why! So quaint and picturesque. I don't think the people who live around the park know how blessed they are. Take the kids to the petting zoo, have a picnic, beautiful landscape to take photos. I visited every day to walk the 2.0+ miles around the park. Look at the photos! Love it 😍
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8 months ago
Beautiful place to take pictures at! A little bridge to enjoy the geese and ducks swimming under. Also, a gated area where deer are roaming around.
View on GoogleJeremy Lindsey
3 years ago
This is one of the jewels of Elgin. The oak groves preserved by both this east-side park, and its sister on the west side (Wing Park), are simply gorgeous. There are two playgrounds in the more natural side of the park, two tennis court areas, and one basketball court. The distinct surprise is the small animal pens that include several bison (that was a shock when I found that in college). There is also a more cultivated side of the park that has a duck pond fronting a rental-able assembly building - all very picturesque. But we keep coming back for the trees and the rolling landscape, and the fact that my kids run with their cross country club here (the Elgin Sharks); for this it is perfection. We recently hosted a cross country meet here and it could not have been more stunning. Picture evidence included. Am both thankful and proud of how well the City of Elgin has preserved there oak grove areas on the east and the west. Albeit at different scales, these parks are on par with Central Park and the like.
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