Donald W Lyon Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Donald W Lyon Park is a popular destination located in the state of Illinois.
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Summary
Situated in Yorkville, Kendall County, the park provides visitors with a range of activities and attractions.
There are several reasons to visit Donald W Lyon Park, including its vast outdoor space, fishing opportunities, playgrounds, and picnic facilities. The park is spread across 30 acres and offers plenty of room for visitors to walk, hike, and explore the natural surroundings. Additionally, the park has two large ponds stocked with various fish, making it an excellent location for anglers.
One of the main points of interest in the park is the Donald W Lyon Memorial Pavilion, a large covered structure that can accommodate up to 200 people. The pavilion is an ideal place for picnics, family gatherings, and other outdoor events.
Another interesting feature of the park is its Veterans Memorial, which pays homage to the men and women who have served in the United States military. The memorial contains a large granite stone and several smaller stones, each bearing the name of a military branch.
Visitors to Donald W Lyon Park can also take a stroll along the walking paths, enjoy a game of basketball or volleyball, or simply relax and enjoy the natural scenery. The best time of year to visit the park depends on personal preference, as the park is open year-round and offers different activities and attractions during each season.
Overall, Donald W Lyon Park is a beautiful and diverse destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, this park is definitely worth a visit.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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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