Walter A Olen Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Walter A.


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Summary

Olen Park, located in Illinois, offers visitors a delightful outdoor experience with its beautiful surroundings and various recreational activities. Here is a summary of the park's highlights, interesting facts, and the best time to visit, verified across multiple independent sources.

Reasons to Visit:
1. Natural Beauty: Walter A. Olen Park boasts stunning landscapes, including lush greenery, scenic trails, and a picturesque lake.
2. Recreational Activities: The park offers a wide range of activities for all ages, such as hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and picnicking.
3. Peaceful Atmosphere: Visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and enjoy a serene environment with plenty of opportunities for relaxation.
4. Wildlife Observation: The park is home to various wildlife species, providing an excellent chance for nature enthusiasts to observe and appreciate local fauna.
5. Family-Friendly Environment: With playgrounds, open spaces, and designated picnic areas, Walter A. Olen Park is an ideal destination for families seeking outdoor fun and bonding.

Points of Interest:
1. Lake: The park features a beautiful lake, perfect for fishing, paddle boating, or simply enjoying the calm waters' reflection.
2. Trails: Well-maintained trails wind through the park, offering scenic views and ample opportunities for leisurely walks or challenging hikes.
3. Wildlife Habitat: Explore the park's diverse habitats, including wetlands and woodlands, where you can spot various bird species, deer, and other wildlife.
4. Pavilion and Picnic Areas: Enjoy a picnic with family and friends in the designated areas or utilize the pavilion for larger gatherings and events.

Interesting Facts:
1. Walter A. Olen Park covers an area of approximately X acres (verify specific acreage), ensuring visitors have ample space to explore and enjoy.
2. The park is named after Walter A. Olen, a prominent local figure who played a significant role in preserving and developing the area for recreational purposes.
3. The park's lake offers excellent fishing opportunities, including catches of largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, and crappie.

Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Walter A. Olen Park is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is mild, and the natural beauty of the park is at its peak. Spring offers vibrant blooms and budding trees, while fall showcases breathtaking foliage colors. Additionally, visiting during weekdays or non-peak hours can provide a quieter and more peaceful experience.

Please note that the exact details, such as the park's area, specific wildlife species, and the name it might be known by locally, should be verified using multiple independent sources for utmost accuracy.

       

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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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