If you’re looking for a place to visit near Chicago, look no further than Park Forest, Illinois. It’s a suburban village in Cook County, with a small portion in Will County. Founded as a planned community for World War II veterans, the village now has a population of 21,687.
Somonauk Park
The Village of Park Forest has received a $395,000 matching grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to revamp Somonauk Park. The project will add new recreational opportunities and native habitat to the Village. Additionally, it will draw in new residents. Construction on the first phase of the project is set to begin later this month. The park will be transformed into a recreation site with a pond and two zip lines, elevated seating terraces, and accessible walking paths.
The neighborhood is close to schools and parks. Residents are within 9 minutes of Governors State University. Other nearby schools include Prairie State College and South Suburban College. It is also convenient to Chicago Midway Airport. Several shopping centers can be found within a mile, as well as five parks within 8 miles of the neighborhood.
Park Forest residents are eagerly awaiting the opening of the new Somonauk Nature Adventure Park. Many have been frustrated by the slow progress. People have posted comments on social media asking why it’s taking so long to open the park. Others have even wondered if the park will ever open. Originally set to open in late June, the park has been delayed by several factors, including labor issues and supply issues. Despite these challenges, park owner Rob Gunther says the park is on track to open late this year.
The new park will offer kayak rentals. However, the launch will not be installed until this fall. The village ordered the kayak launch in February, but it was not a good fit. A new zip line supplier has already begun design work. Meanwhile, the new swings are being delivered. After the final excavation work, they will be installed.
Freedom Hall
If you’re looking for an intimate theater experience in the Chicago suburbs, you’ve come to the right place. Freedom Hall in Park Forest is home to the Nathan Manilow Theatre, a 287-seat venue that is perfect for a variety of performances. Located at 410 Lakewood Boulevard in Park Forest, Illinois, this theatre is one of the premier performing arts centers in the Chicago area.
The building opened in 1908 and was named after a Park Forest pioneer, Lynn Brenne, who raised six children and contributed significantly to the village’s development. Brenne spent his free time at the village hall with his family and talked to Park Forest residents, even though he had a high-powered job at United Airlines. In addition to his community work, Brenne spent many weekends in Park Forest, working as an executive with United Airlines.
A long-time resident of Park Forest, Harriet Marcus Gross, who served on the Park Forest Human Relations Commission for 17 years, had been instrumental in the Village’s second All-America city honor, proposed the building of Freedom Hall and was instrumental in its construction. Her volunteer work in the community involved her in numerous civic, educational, and social groups. She also served as a full-time reporter for the Park Forest Star for years.
In addition to a concert venue, Freedom Hall also features a theatre. The theatre seats up to 287 people and is perfect for date nights or catching a show. A variety of events take place in Freedom Hall every week. While most performances are held on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights, you can also find performances on other nights of the week.
In November, Freedom Hall is presenting two great concerts. The first is Franc D’Ambrosio’s “I’ll Be Seeing Youz” on Tuesday, November 3, and the other is Ava Logan with the Southland Jazz Ensemble on Sunday, November 8 at 4:00 p.m. Both of these performers are made for the stage.
In addition to his work with the Park Forest Historical Society, Beverly Myrow was an important part of the community. In addition to being a private instructor, she was active in the development of Freedom Hall. She was active in the arts council and worked to ensure that the school board elections would continue to be nonpartisan. In addition to her many contributions, she was also a volunteer at the local public library and on the Park Forest Civic Association.
Theater 47 Performing Arts Group
Theater 47 is a multi-cultural performing arts group based in Park Forest, Illinois. It serves as a home for dozens of self-producing artists and is committed to fostering new talent in theater. The company is especially interested in experimental and challenging works. For more information, visit theater47.com.
The theater’s next production is Billie Holiday, a well-known jazz singer. Despite her fame, she suffered from substance abuse and even was arrested on her deathbed. Theater 47 is staging a reimagined version of this musical with Makeda Grier as the lead. Ruffin and his wife, Tammie Ruffin, have been married for nine years and have four children from previous marriages.
Theatre 47 is run by local volunteers. The group was founded by a group of Park Forest residents who enjoy the arts and performing arts. It has a wide variety of performances, from classical to contemporary. Its members include Jo Rodenburg, a renowned concert artist and voice teacher at DePaul University. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Prairie State College.
Sauk Trail Woods
The Sauk Trail Woods is part of the Thorn Creek Trail System, a network of Cook County Forest Preserves that includes miles of paved and off-trail dirt pathways and Sauk Lake. It is a beautiful destination for mountain biking, hiking, and nature walks.
The park is mainly a dense wooded area, but also includes a large marsh and open prairie areas. It is situated on the Valparaiso Moraine, which explains its hilly terrain. It is accessible by car, and has many picnic and pavilion facilities.
There are also several miles of paved biking trails in Sauk Trail Woods. The preserve is adjacent to Calvary Cemetery and Murphy Park. Visitors can also catch a commuter train at the Matteson or Richton Park stations. Both train stations are approximately two miles away.
There is no shortage of things to do in Park Forest, and this neighborhood is no exception. Its location is convenient to a variety of amenities, including dining, shopping, and the U.S. Military Reservation. Whether you’re looking for a great place to raise your family or spend your vacations with your family, the Sauk Trail Woods are an excellent place to start.
The Forest Preserves are making short-term and long-term investments in Sauk Trail Woods. They plan to show off the park’s transformation in 2022 and create opportunities for local residents to connect with nature. The organization is also developing a 10-year vision for the park. This will guide future restoration and improvements to existing buildings. In addition, it will help build community relationships.
