Craig Manor Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

After conducting research across multiple independent sources, Craig Manor Park is a 40-acre park located in the state of Illinois that offers a variety of recreational activities, natural beauty, and historical significance.


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Summary

The park is situated in the city of Park Ridge, which is approximately 14 miles northwest of Chicago.

Some good reasons to visit Craig Manor Park include its peaceful atmosphere, walking trails, and beautiful landscape. The park also features a playground, picnic areas, and a large open field for sports and games. Visitors can enjoy the park's natural beauty by walking along the Des Plaines River, which runs through the park.

There are several specific points of interest to see at Craig Manor Park, including the Craig Manor House, which was built in 1912 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was originally built as a private residence and is now used as a community center for events and meetings. Another point of interest is the park's Veterans Memorial, which honors the sacrifices of those who have served in the military.

Interesting facts about Craig Manor Park include its history as a former estate owned by a wealthy Chicago businessman named Joseph Tilton Craig. The park was donated to the city of Park Ridge in 1947 by Craig's heirs and was officially opened to the public in 1955. Additionally, the park was designed by the renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen, who also designed several other parks in the Chicago area.

The best time of year to visit Craig Manor Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the park is in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and visitors can enjoy its beauty during all seasons. Overall, Craig Manor Park offers visitors a peaceful and scenic retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, as well as a glimpse into the history and natural beauty of the area.

       

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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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