Dooley Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Dooley Park is located in the state of Illinois and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.


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Summary

One of the main reasons to visit the park is its natural beauty, which includes rolling hills, scenic trails, and a variety of wildlife. The park is also home to several points of interest, such as the Lake Dooley and the Dooley Park Disc Golf Course.

Lake Dooley is a beautiful body of water that offers visitors the opportunity to fish, swim, and enjoy water sports. The Dooley Park Disc Golf Course is a popular attraction for those who love to play disc golf, with several challenging holes that offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

In addition to its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, there are several interesting facts about Dooley Park. For example, the park was named after James Dooley, a local businessman who donated the land for the park. The park is also home to a variety of rare plant species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.

The best time of year to visit Dooley Park depends on what you want to do. In the summer, the park is a great place to swim, fish, and enjoy the outdoors. In the fall, the park is particularly beautiful thanks to the changing leaves, and it's a great time to go hiking or camping. Winter is a good time to visit if you enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

Overall, Dooley Park is a great destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. With its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and interesting history, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

       

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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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