End of line, dear readers! After over 100 entries, Year of the Park comes to a close. Read on to learn what Publisher Seth Fein thinks are the Top 20 Best Parks in Champaign-Urbana.
Year of the Park: Worst to First, 50 – 21
As we begin to unpack the parks that really have some value, we can be reminded that we are blessed with all that we have, and forget about all that we don't. At least for the moment.
Year of the Park: Worst to First, 82 – 51
There are 82 publicly funded parks in Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy. Some of them are magnificent, and some of them are hey, pretty good! But there are others are sort of really bad. Counting down from 82, here's bottom 31 parks in our fair city.
Year of the Park, Special Report: City Parks, Champaign-Urbana
Here is the final installment of Year to the Park A to Z! Next week, we'll run down Worst to First to give it a nice shiny bow, but for now, these are "parks" that are not run by the park districts, but rather, our municipalities. Yes, it is confusing!
Year of the Park, A to Z: Crystal Lake Park, Urbana; Video Feature
Tucked into the north part of central Urbana, Crystal Lake Park's majesty is far too overlooked, and it's time we collectively change that. Build a bridge. It's time.
Year of the Park, A to Z: Morrissey Park, Champaign
This park located near Windsor Road in Champaign is a decent one.
Year of the Park, A to Z: Mullikan Park, Champaign
Mullikan Park is a park. You wish there was more information about this Mullikan character, because otherwise, there's nothing to really unpack.
Year of the Park, A to Z: Human Kinetics Park, Champaign
For now, Human Kinetics Park is closed down for construction. The future, which will be the Martens Center, is very very bright, and will be a much needed boost to the north side of Champaign. Generosity and planning together knows no bounds!
Year of the Park, A to Z: Middlefork Forest Preserve; Video Feature
Middlefork Forest Preserve is host to Illinois' only Dark Sky Park, which makes this particular spot in Champaign County unique. But that is hardly the only amenity that this beautiful preserve has to offer.
Year of the Park, A to Z: Sunset Ridge Park, Champaign
Aptly named, Sunset Ridge Park is truly a wonderful place to watch the end of the day, and maybe rip out a few ollies or a laser flip if you are feeling gnarly.
Year of the Park, A to Z: Weaver Park, Urbana
Weaver Park in Urbana is a growing project, being created year by year, as the woodlands regrow, and the natural areas restore themselves. It is a marvelous place for a walk, particularly when there aren't quite that many mosquitos out and about.
Year of the Park, A to Z: Video Feature; Sunnycrest Tot Lot, Urbana
Oh this might be the cutest lil park in all of Champaign-Urbana honestly, and we decided to do a video feature on it just because...
Champaign-Urbana has one of the most diverse, intelligent, and interesting communities in the state. Our Culture section highlights those people, places, and events that make us proud to live here.
