Chart Our Future City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Master Plan | Page 57

PARK CLASSIFICATIONS
Classification General Description Service Area Size Criteria City of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation
Department Parks and Facilities
Mini Park* (M) Mini Parks meet the need for a walkable, drop-in recreation experience.
Appropriate elements in these parks include playgrounds, picnic areas, and
seating. These parks usually do not include parking. Used to address limited,
isolated, or unique recreational needs. Less than a 0.25-mile distance in a
residential setting. Typically less than 1
acre in size. Franklin Park, Meadowood Park, Triangle Park
Neighborhood Park* Neighborhood Parks remain the basic unit of the park system and are generally
(N)
designed for informal active and passive recreation and community gathering
spaces. Elements in these parks often include playgrounds, picnic areas, sports
fields, and trail systems. Neighborhood Parks serve as the recreational and social
focus of the neighborhood. 0.25 to 0.5-mile distance and
uninterrupted by non-residential
roads and other physical barriers. Typically ±15 acres Elawa Park, Everett Park, Northcroft Park, South
Park, Waveland Park, West Park
Community Park*
(C) Community Parks focus on meeting community-wide recreation needs. These
parks preserve unique landscapes and often serve the community as gathering
places and for general athletics. Elements in these parks include playgrounds,
pavilions, trails and path systems, multiple sport courts and fields. Serves broader
purpose than neighborhood park. The focus is on meeting community-based
recreation needs, as well as preserving unique landscapes and open spaces. Determined by the quality and
suitability of the site. Usually serves
two or more neighborhoods and 0.5
to 3-mile distance. As needed to
accommodate
desired uses. Usually
a minimum of 25
acres. Deerpath Community Park, Townline Community
Park
Natural Area* Conservation and wildlife areas, wooded areas and waterways that are maintained Service radius is unlimited.
for the most part in their natural state. No applicable
standard. McCormick Nature Preserve
Special Use* Special use facilities focus on meeting community-wide recreation needs. Often,
these spaces, both indoor and outdoor, are designed as single-use recreation
activities. Examples of special use facilities include golf courses, nature centers,
recreation centers, and museums. Areas for specialized or single purpose
recreational activities. Generally designed for active recreation and focus on
meeting community-based recreation needs. No applicable standard. Variable, depending
on desired the
amenity. Deerpath Golf Course, Elawa Farm, Forest Park,
Forest Park Beach
Trails, Corridors, and
Linear Parks* Effectively tie park system components together to form a continuous park
environment. Resource availability and
opportunity. No applicable
standard. None
Undeveloped Park Lands owned by the agency, but not yet developed with any amenities to provide
meaningful access to the site such as trails, seating areas, and other passive and
active recreation amenities. No applicable standard. Variable. Buena Park, Tollway Park, Ringwood Park
School Park The Parks and Recreation Department has an agreement with Lake Forest
Community High School District 115 and Lake Forest School District 67 in which
the Department manages all or some of the schools’ open spaces. 0.25 - 0.5-mile distance and
uninterrupted by non-residential
roads and other physical barriers.
(The neighborhood park service
area is applied to school parks) Variable. Cherokee School, Deerpath Middle School, Everett
School, Lake Forest High School - East, Lake Forest
High School - West, Sheridan School
* from NRPA’s Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Guidelines.
ANALYZE: INVENTORY & ANALYSIS
CITY OF LAKE FOREST PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN
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