Cosley Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cosley Park is a 70-acre park located in Wheaton, Illinois.


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Summary

Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, picnicking, fishing, and birdwatching. The park is also home to the Cosley Zoo, which features a variety of farm animals, as well as native Illinois wildlife.

One of the main attractions of Cosley Park is its beautiful natural setting. The park features several hiking trails that wind through wooded areas and open fields, providing visitors with opportunities to spot wildlife such as deer, foxes, and birds of prey. The park's fishing pond is also a popular destination for anglers, with several species of fish available for catch and release.

The Cosley Zoo is another highlight of the park. The zoo is home to over 300 animals, including cows, pigs, goats, and sheep, as well as more exotic animals such as red foxes, bobcats, and bald eagles. Visitors can also take part in educational programs and events, such as animal encounters and summer camps.

Interesting facts about Cosley Park include its history as a working farm, which was donated to the Wheaton Park District in 1974. The park is also home to a historic barn, which has been restored and serves as a popular venue for weddings and other events.

The best time of year to visit Cosley Park depends on the activities you are interested in. Spring and summer are ideal for hiking and picnicking, while fall is a great time to see the park's foliage and spot wildlife. The zoo is open year-round, with special events and activities offered throughout the year.

Overall, Cosley Park is a beautiful and educational destination for visitors of all ages, offering a variety of outdoor activities and opportunities to connect with nature.

       

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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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