Coast Guard Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Coast Guard Park is a popular destination located in Evanston, Illinois.


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Summary

The park is named after the United States Coast Guard and offers a variety of outdoor activities and attractions for visitors of all ages.

One of the main reasons to visit Coast Guard Park is its stunning natural beauty. The park is situated on Lake Michigan and offers breathtaking views of the water. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating in the lake, as well as hiking and biking on the park's trails.

Coast Guard Park also features several points of interest for visitors to explore. The park is home to the Grosse Point Lighthouse, a historic landmark that dates back to the 1800s. Visitors can take a tour of the lighthouse and learn about its fascinating history. The park also has a playground, picnic areas, and sports fields for visitors to enjoy.

Interesting facts about Coast Guard Park include its connection to the United States Coast Guard. The park was named after the Coast Guard because it was once the location of a training facility for Coast Guard cadets. The park also played a role in the development of the first transcontinental airplane flight in 1919.

The best time of year to visit Coast Guard Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and visitors can enjoy all the outdoor activities the park has to offer. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months.

In conclusion, Coast Guard Park is a beautiful and historic destination in Illinois that offers a variety of outdoor activities and attractions for visitors. Whether you're interested in history, nature, or sports, there's something for everyone at Coast Guard Park.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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