Ginkgo Playlot Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Ginkgo Playlot Park is a small neighborhood park located in the city of River Forest, Illinois.


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Summary

The park is known for its lush greenery, playgrounds, and various amenities that attract visitors of all ages. Some of the good reasons to visit this park include its well-maintained facilities, well-manicured lawns, and peaceful environment.

One of the main points of interest at Ginkgo Playlot Park is its playground area, which features a range of play structures, swings, and slides. The park also has picnic areas, benches, and open spaces where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery. In addition, the park is known for its beautiful ginkgo trees, which turn a brilliant golden color in the fall.

Interesting facts about Ginkgo Playlot Park include its history as a former site of a public school. The park was established in the 1970s, after the school was demolished. The park also features a small garden area, which is tended to by local volunteers.

The best time of year to visit Ginkgo Playlot Park is during the fall, when the ginkgo trees are in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers different attractions throughout the year. In the summer, the park hosts various children's activities and events.

Overall, Ginkgo Playlot Park is a great destination for families with children, nature lovers, and anyone looking for a peaceful outdoor environment. Its well-maintained facilities, beautiful surroundings, and interesting history make it a must-visit attraction in the state of Illinois.

       

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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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