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The summer months are a great time for picnics, and there's still plenty of great weather left in the season. So pack up some sandwiches, grab a blanket and cut open the watermelon. We at NeighborhoodCircle.com packed up our baskets and sunscreen to scope out some of our favorite picnic spots in Lake County and compile a handy picnic guide.
Have a spot you like better? Let us know! Add a comment at the end of this story or write a blog telling us why your spot is the best place to grab some grub outdoors.
Click HERE to see an interactive map.
Deerfield
Where: Jewett Park, behind the community center at 836 Jewett Park Drive
Why: A picturesque location with plenty of open space to lay down a blanket, Jewett Park is home to many of Deerfield’s outdoor community events throughout the year. Perfect for a game of catch or a place to read a book, the park offers a wide range of amenities for a summer picnic.
What you'll find: For those who prefer to eat at a table or out of the sun, there is a pavilion with picnic tables. To keep the kids entertained, there is a playground in the park as well as a baseball diamond good for a casual game of kickball or softball. Ride bikes, walk or drive to the location, the park accommodates all forms of transportation. Pets are welcome in the park and there are a number of bathrooms on the grounds.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Grayslake
Where: Central Park, Library Lane at Central Park Road
Why: This park opened officially just last summer, but improvements have already been added to enhance your picnic experience.
What you'll find: The enhancements include sheltered tables, a playground, a splash pad, fishing pier, a nine-hole disk golf course, an interpretive trail through the oak woods, bocce ball courts, shuffleboard courts, and a band shell. The main attraction for families is likely the aquatic park near the library, which is a great place to cool off before or after a picnic.
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Extra info: The Grayslake Park Foundation is sponsoring a Buy-A-Brick drive to help fund a walkway being built around the concession stand. Note: Though still often listed as being on Lake Road, the park is only accessible by car from the east on Library Lane, which includes parking near the aquatic park.
Highland Park
Where: Rosewood Park and Beach, 45 Roger Williams Avenue, located in the Ravinia neighborhood
Why: This park runs along the shores of Lake Michigan, offering spectacular views from the bluffs above and the beach below. The heavily wooded bluff gives the beach a cozy, secluded atmosphere – a great spot for relaxation.
What you'll find: The oak savanna bluff and ravines are designated natural areas and offer shady paths through the woods and over foot bridges for hiking and spotting wildlife. The beach has lifeguards on duty for swimming near picnic areas (with barbecues) placed all along a beach path.
Hours: Park open from dawn until dusk. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from June 9 to August 17, and August 23, 24, 30, 31 and September 1.
Extra info: Highland Park resident sticker or beach pass required for parking lots. Information on fees and permits can be found here. See recently drafted plans for lakefront improvements here. Restroom facilities have been temporarily moved to the north beach parking lot during construction. There is also a parking lot at the north end up on the bluff.
Where: Sunset Woods Park, 1801 Sunset Road, Sunset Road between Central Avenue and Park Avenue West
Why: Nestled in the heart of downtown Highland Park, steps from shopping, theaters and restaurants, this 38-acre park is a favorite gathering place for civic events and offers a multitude of activities while maintaining a secluded atmosphere.
What you'll find: The north end of the park includes eight acres of protected designated natural areas, and the park amenities include numerous picnic tables, large pavilions and barbecue grills. Park features include several playgrounds, a skate park, basketball court, tennis courts, baseball field, restrooms in two field houses and plenty of parking.
Hours: Park open from dawn until dusk
Extra info: For more information see the Park District of Highland Park Web site.
Lake Forest
Where: Forest Park Beach, Lake Road at the far east end of Deerpath
Why: This park sits on more than 29 acres of lakefront land, splitting the area between wide open lawn on the bluff above and a beautifully designed beach down below. The beach separated into four oval bays, giving each one the feel of a smaller beach. Plus, it's a perfect spot to take visitors watch the sun rise over the lake with breakfast.
What you'll find: There are plenty of pavilions, picnic tables and spots to lay a beach towel that are great for picnics. Forgot to bring something to read with lunch? The concession stand has a book cart from the Lake Forest Library. One beach is devoted to a boat launch, and there are piers for small watercraft.
Hours: Beach guards on duty 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Extra info: Check the Illinois Department of Health’s Web site for water closure information, or call the beach hotline at 847-234-6702. Click here for more park information, including parking regulations at the upper and lower lots.
Where: Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve, Middlefork Drive
Why: This 94-acre forest preserve is home to a wide variety of wildlife and plant species accessible along its boardwalks and hiking trails, and serves as an ecological research site and outdoor classroom.
What you'll find: Picnic facilities, including a playground, horseshoe pit and pavilion, are available, so you can stash a lunch in a backpack while hiking around the trails, then settle in for a meal in a comfortable spot. A day trip to Middlefork can also include a visit to historic Elawa Farm and all the creatures at the Lake Forest Wildlife Discovery Center.
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to sunset.
Extra info: Extra info: See the Lake county Forest Preserve Web site for more information.
Libertyville
Where: Cook Park, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Why: Residents can often be found picnicking under the trees during concerts and other civic events at this small but historic park in the heart of downtown Libertyville. The park is on the site of the former Ansel Cook estate, and the Cook House still stands in the middle of the park. Its central location and cheery atmosphere make Cook Park a popular spot for weekday lunch picnics.
What you'll find: Picnic tables are on both north and south ends of the park by the rose gardens, and parking is available in the Cook Memorial Library lot. Didn't bring a basket? Meals can be procured from The Picnic Basket Restaurant just north of the park, herbal and vegetarian dieters will want to check out Murphy's Health Food across Milwaukee from the park, while award-winning dessert can be found at Summit Ice Cream Café just to the south.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Extra info: The Cook House is now maintained by the Libertyville Historical Society as a Victorian era museum. The Cook Museum is open Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m., June, July, August and December.
Where: Independence Grove Forest Preserve, 16400 W. Buckley Road
Why: The still-expanding preserve, built on the site of a former gravel quarry, features a large lake, a stretch of the Des Plaines River and plenty of natural preserved woodland. But it also includes the comforts of a visitors center, café and pavilion near a children's playground.
What you'll find: West of the river, you can find a large dog exercise area. Picnickers can catch a glimpse of some deer or a red-tailed hawk while having an outdoor meal in choice spots along the preserve's miles of hiking trails. Or have a snack on the pier while watching fish mill around in the lagoon below.
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to sunset
Extra info: See the Lake County Forest Preserve Web site for more information.
Mundelein
Where: Diamond Lake Beach, 1016 Diamond Lake Road
Why: With all its fishing and boating activities, Diamond Lake can seem like Wisconsin resort community dropped down into Lake County. Diamond Lake Beach is maintained by the Mundelein Park & Recreation District and offers a fenced-in recreation area providing a safe place to bring kids to swim, play, and have a nice picnic.
What you'll find: The Diamond Lake Recreation Center includes a learning center with preschool programs, making it possible to plan a picnic when picking up your preschooler from class. The enclosed park and beach includes picnic pavilion, piers, beach umbrellas, concession area, playground equipment and volleyball court.
Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the rest of the week.
Extra info: For more information on activities at Mundelein Parks, visit www.mundeleinparks.org. Note: Parking is located across Diamond Lake Road, so be careful on the crosswalk.
Vernon Hills
Where: Deerpath Park, east of Deerpath Road between Phillips Road and Route 45
Why: Picnickers will likely be most attracted to its charming picnic hexagonal gazeboes placed all around the park to be near various attractions, including the lakes.
What you'll find: Amenities at Deerpath Park include its three small interconnected lakes, the large "Kids Castle" playground, tennis courts, baseball and football sports fields, basketball courts, volleyball courts, plus plenty of parking and open lawn space.
Hours: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Photos: Brian Thomas, NeighborhoodCircle.com
