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Anderson Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 453 Google reviews · Running trail in Normal, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Anderson Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ShadedRestrooms

Recreation venue with a pool, playground, walking trail, picnic areas, and athletic fields.

What runners say about Anderson Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (453 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 7 mentions

“Great playground, clean restrooms and a beautiful park to enjoy.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“Good playground and walking area, play could be challenging on hot sunny days because the playground is not shaded.”

Very nice park to bring the kids to, with plenty to offer. The playground area is large with a lot of things for the kids to play on. The aquatic area is also very nice. There are also areas to walk, a couple bridges and a very nice layout. Conveniently located just off College, with plenty of parking.

★★★★★ — Gary , May 2022

Good playground and walking area, play could be challenging on hot sunny days because the playground is not shaded. The picnic area is nice & shaded, with bathrooms close by.

★★★★★ — Dr. , Jun 2022

Very clean and lots to do. There is a fun walking path for kids and parents to interact together with prompts, tennis courts, two playgrounds, open grassy areas, a basketball court, a baseball diamond, and a practice field. There is also at least one covered pavilion with many picnic tables.

★★★★★ — Amy , Jun 2023

A little something for everyone here. Good sunny spots,good shady spots, climbing trees...there's an interactive learning trail that's fun for the younger kiddos. There are 2 bridges over a creek(of sorts),one on each end of the path. This is one of our favorites!

★★★★★ — Audrey , Nov 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 453 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🚻 Restrooms 7 mentions

“There is also standard bathrooms available with changing tables for the really young ones.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“Good playground and walking area, play could be challenging on hot sunny days because the playground is not shaded.”

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Plan your run at Anderson Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitenormal.org
  • Phone+1 309-454-9540
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–11 pm
Tuesday 6 am–11 pm
Wednesday 6 am–11 pm
Thursday 6 am–11 pm
Friday 6 am–11 pm
Saturday 6 am–11 pm
Sunday 6 am–11 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Anderson Park

503 E College Ave, Normal, IL 61761

Get directions

Running trails near Normal

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Underwood Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 294 reviews

Normal, IL

Scenic

Public green space with a playground and an outdoor theater.

under a mile away

Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary

4.6 ★★★★★ 229 reviews

Normal, IL

MixedShaded

5.5 wooded acres offer paved trails, resting benches & native wildlife including a butterfly garden.

under a mile away

Ewing Park ll

4.5 ★★★★★ 164 reviews

Bloomington, IL

ShadedDog-friendly

Kid-friendly park with a playground and baseball fields as well as a wooded area for bird-watching.

under a mile away

Ewing Park I

4.5 ★★★★★ 361 reviews

Bloomington, IL

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Large public area featuring playgrounds, a playground for small children, trails, baseball diamonds and picnic spots.

1.2 miles away

Fairview Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 480 reviews

Normal, IL

PavedLitScenic

Park featuring a pool, a splash pad and a playground, plus BBQ grills.

1.5 miles away

Fransen Nature Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 58 reviews

Normal, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

Smaller nature reserve featuring trails and a pond with fish, plus prairie-like vegetation.

1.5 miles away

All running trails in Normal, IL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.