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Central Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 186 Google reviews · Running trail in Grayslake, Illinois · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Central 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.
Large playground-centered park with a splash pad, plus disc golf.
What runners say about Central Park
“Safe, clean, quiet, beautiful, recently updated playgrounds, waterpark, frolf course, proximity to library, pool.”
“Safe, clean, quiet, beautiful, recently updated playgrounds, waterpark, frolf course, proximity to library, pool.”
“Large black walnut and acorn oaks for shade abound with picnic tables as well as a playground for the children, with a Frisbee golf course through the large trees.”
“Safe, clean, quiet, beautiful, recently updated playgrounds, waterpark, frolf course, proximity to library, pool.”
Great little park. Has green space and the splash pad right next to it is perfect size for kids. You turn it on by tapping the top single yellow post nearest the park on the inside of the fensed area, which is great if you have a kid who is a runner.
Great place to take the kids. Or even just walk/ride a bike without the kids. The playground is wonderful. It is more updated then I expected it to be; it just isn't great for smaller kids unless they are really fearless.
Nice place for a smaller town. Marvelous walking experience. The area includes a skate board park, pool, splash park for the tots, baseball diamonds, football and soccer fields and more.
Safe and calm place to run. If you go around a little more then two times, it is 5K. 🔥 There are two playgrounds and a water area during the summer. There is also the community pool, and a library. A walk away from downtown grayslake. Also called Gelatin Park. Love this place.
Trail conditions & character
“Large black walnut and acorn oaks for shade abound with picnic tables as well as a playground for the children, with a Frisbee golf course through the large trees.”
“The only thing that is slightly wonky is parking.”
“The bathrooms are small but smell awesome, I think the combination of cedar wood and the airfresheners they use make it smell like sandalwood or something, a pleasant surprise.”
“It is a park with football field, ball field, and even a two mile walking path loop.”
Plan your run at Central Park
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- 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 trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websiteglpd.com
- Phone+1 847-223-7529
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Grayslake
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Jones Island Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 405 reviews
Grays Lake park featuring a beach, a playground, volleyball courts, and picnic shelters.
Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve
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Wildlife-filled prairie preserve on 1,200 acres with trails, seed library & snowmobiling in winter.
Alleghany Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 309 reviews
Spot for baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, fishing, and picnics, plus a playground and trails.
Gateway Park - Round Lake Area Park District
4.2 ★★★★☆ 29 reviews