Maywood Sportsman Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Maywood Sportsman Park is a horse racing facility located in the state of Illinois.


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Summary

It opened in 1946 and was a popular destination for horse racing enthusiasts for many years. Today, the facility is closed and has been repurposed for other uses.

One reason to visit Maywood Sportsman Park is to see the historic grandstand and track. Although the facility is no longer used for horse racing, visitors can still appreciate the architecture and history of the site. Another point of interest is the nearby Des Plaines River Trail, which offers opportunities for hiking and biking.

Interesting facts about Maywood Sportsman Park include its history as a popular destination for gamblers and horse racing enthusiasts. It was also the site of several notable horse races, including the American National Stake and the Windy City Pace.

The best time of year to visit Maywood Sportsman Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the nearby Des Plaines River Trail is at its most scenic. However, visitors should be aware that the facility is closed to the public and access may be restricted.

       

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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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