Long Common Park
Rate this placeNearby: Blythe Park Proksa Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Long Common Park is located in Riverside, Illinois, and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Summary
The park covers 18 acres of land, and there are several good reasons to visit. Some of the most popular activities at the park include hiking, picnicking, birdwatching, and fishing in the Des Plaines River, which runs through the park.
One of the main points of interest at Long Common Park is the historic water tower, which dates back to the 1800s and is one of the few remaining structures of its kind in the area. The park also features a playground, basketball court, and tennis courts, as well as a pavilion that can be rented for events.
Interesting facts about Long Common Park include its designation as a National Historic Landmark, which recognizes the site's significance as a part of the Prairie School architectural movement. The park is also home to several species of birds, including great blue herons and bald eagles, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.
The best time of year to visit Long Common Park is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most beautiful. Visitors can also enjoy outdoor concerts and other events that are held at the park throughout the year.
Overall, Long Common Park is a great place to visit for anyone who loves the outdoors, history, and architecture. With its beautiful natural surroundings and rich cultural heritage, it's no wonder that the park continues to draw visitors from all over the country.
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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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