Penny Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Penny Park is a popular park located in the city of Evanston, Illinois.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

It offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities such as tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, and a swimming pool. The park also has several picnic areas and a walking trail that is perfect for jogging, cycling, and walking.

One of the main attractions of Penny Park is its swimming pool, which is open during the summer season. The pool features a diving board, a slide, and a shallow area for kids. The park is also home to a community garden, where visitors can see different types of plants and vegetables.

Interesting facts about Penny Park include that it was named after the Penny family, who donated the land to the city in 1929. The park has undergone several renovations over the years, including the addition of the swimming pool and the basketball courts. Additionally, Penny Park hosts several community events throughout the year, such as outdoor movie nights and sports tournaments.

The best time of year to visit Penny Park is during the summer season when the swimming pool is open and the weather is warm. However, visitors can also enjoy the park during the fall and spring seasons when the weather is milder, and the leaves change colors.

Overall, Penny Park is an excellent destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a fun-filled day of activities and relaxation in the heart of Evanston.

       

Weather Forecast

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.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks

View more

Nearby Fishing