Fourth Pumping Station County Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Fourth Pumping Station County Park is a popular park located in Cook County, Illinois.
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Summary
The park is known for its beautiful natural surroundings and a variety of outdoor recreational activities.
One of the main reasons to visit Fourth Pumping Station County Park is for its stunning scenic views. The park features a large lake surrounded by lush greenery, providing visitors with a serene and peaceful atmosphere. There are also several walking and biking trails that wind through the park, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the area while getting some exercise.
For those interested in history, there are several points of interest within the park. The Fourth Pumping Station, which gives the park its name, is a historic building that once pumped water from Lake Michigan to the city of Chicago. Today, the building serves as a museum that tells the story of the city's water supply system.
Other notable attractions within the park include a playground, picnic areas, and a fishing pier. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and foxes.
The best time to visit Fourth Pumping Station County Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities during the fall and winter months, including ice skating and snowshoeing.
Overall, Fourth Pumping Station County Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty of Illinois' natural surroundings while learning about the history of the region.
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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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