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Wantz Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 148 Google reviews · Running trail in Loves Park, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Wantz 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.

RestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

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

What runners say about Wantz Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (148 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Other than that it's a nice little park, relitevily clean.”

Small, has a nice park, close to many restaurants if you want to get a treat after the kids are done playing. Nice little walking path down the middle that's right next the creek. A few picnic tables are under an awning of the rec building. Nice park to go to for a quick trip.

★★★★☆ — Smelly , May 2019

This park offers a lot! A shelter, great playground equipment, a sidewalk all the way around for walking, lots of field space, parking-street, and activities thru the park district for kids

★★★★★ — Lauri , Mar 2021

We go to this park often and we love it. It's the best park for toddlers! I really like that the ground is soft because it makes me feel better when my little one is running around. 10/10

★★★★★ — Keia , Aug 2025

Great family park with nice bike path. New playground, pavilion & softball field. Water splash pad for hot days.

★★★★★ — Heather , Mar 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 148 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.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“A shelter, great playground equipment, a sidewalk all the way around for walking, lots of field space, parking-street, and activities thru the park district for kids”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“The bathrooms are not operational as far as I can tell.”

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🚰 Water fountains

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Plan your run at Wantz 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 trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Websiterockfordparkdistrict.org
  • Phone+1 815-987-8800
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 am–7 pm
Tuesday 8 am–7 pm
Wednesday 8 am–7 pm
Thursday 8 am–7 pm
Friday 8 am–7 pm
Saturday 8 am–7 pm
Sunday 8 am–7 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 Wantz Park

Loves Park, Illinois

Get directions

Running trails near Loves Park

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

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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.