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Dennis Johnson Memorial Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 39 Google reviews · Running trail in Machesney Park, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Dennis Johnson Memorial 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.

Water

What runners say about Dennis Johnson Memorial Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (39 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Nice little park in Machesney Park Illinois. It doesn't have to many areas to park, but, locals that live close have multiple access points to the park and path. Has a small but ok playground for kids and a canopy picnic table area to eat.

★★★★★ — Patrick , Jul 2021

Great place to bring kids! Playground, bike path, tennis and basketball courts. Being a nerd dad it also has a pokestop and a gym to spin while spending time with the family!

★★★★★ — Bobbo , Nov 2019

Nice little park with basketball 🏀 courts , 🎾 tennis court and sand vollyball 🏐 right on the bike path and also has a play land for the little ones ..

★★★★☆ — Dave , May 2019

Nice place for a walk, tennis, play yard for kids, dog walks; walkway, bikes, jogging to Rock Cut park under Forest Hills.

★★★★☆ — Cristy , Mar 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 39 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.

🚰 Water fountains

“Volleyball, tennis court, basketball court, shelter, playground, drinking fountain and right off the bike that leads to rock cut or Harlem high school.”

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Plan your run at Dennis Johnson Memorial 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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadwater — reported by runners

Hours

Monday 6:30 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6:30 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6:30 am–10 pm
Thursday 6:30 am–10 pm
Friday 6:30 am–10 pm
Saturday 6:30 am–10 pm
Sunday 6:30 am–10 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 Dennis Johnson Memorial Park

Machesney Park, Illinois

Get directions

Running trails near Machesney Park

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

Harlem Hills Nature Preserve

4.2 ★★★★☆ 14 reviews

Loves Park, IL

1.3 miles away

Schoonmaker Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 193 reviews

Machesney Park, IL

Dog-friendly

Parks for both small & large dogs are available at this recreation spot with trails & a playground.

2.6 miles away

Wantz Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 148 reviews

Loves Park, IL

Casual, outdoor space, mostly unshaded, with swings, slides and a climbing structure.

2.8 miles away

Kieselburg Forest Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 147 reviews

Roscoe, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

Wooded preserve offering picnic areas, a soccer field, and trails for hiking and remote-controlled aircraft flying.

2.8 miles away

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County

4.7 ★★★★★ 110 reviews

Rockford, IL

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Natural preserve with paved trails for biking and walking plus benches and a pond.

2.8 miles away

Olson Swedish Heritage Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 132 reviews

Caledonia, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

Popular park with picnic tables dog park, playground and shelters.

2.9 miles away

All running trails in Machesney Park, 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.