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Elk Grove Village is a suburb of about 33,000 people in northwest Cook County, Illinois, on the western edge of O'Hare International Airport and about 25 miles from downtown Chicago. It was built from farmland in the 1950s as a planned community, and today it is known both for tree-lined residential neighborhoods and for one of the largest industrial and technology parks in North America.
The village's biggest attraction is Busse Woods, a vast forest preserve with a large reservoir, a paved trail loop and a fenced pasture where a herd of elk has lived since the 1920s, giving the village its name. Boaters rent rowboats and kayaks on Busse Lake, and anglers, cyclists and birdwatchers come from across the northwest suburbs.
The Elk Grove Park District runs two popular summer spots for families, Pirates' Cove Children's Theme Park and Rainbow Falls Water Park, plus a small historical museum. With O'Hare minutes away and Woodfield Mall and Schaumburg next door, Elk Grove Village is also a practical base for airport stays and suburban Chicago trips.
Officially Ned Brown Preserve, this Forest Preserves of Cook County site covers about 3,700 acres of woods, wetlands and meadows around Busse Lake. It is popular for picnics, fishing, cycling and birdwatching. Several parking lots line the roads through the preserve; weekends in summer and fall get busy.
A seasonal boat rental center on Busse Lake offering rowboats, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats for exploring the reservoir's coves and islands. Gas motors are not allowed, which keeps the water calm. It operates in the warmer months; check hours, and wear a life jacket as required.
A protected nature preserve inside Busse Woods, designated a National Natural Landmark for its upland forest, marshes and ponds shaped by glaciers. In spring its woods fill with wildflowers, and birders find warblers and herons. Stay on marked trails to protect the fragile plants and wet ground.
A fenced pasture at the edge of Busse Woods where a small herd of elk has been kept since 1925, a nod to the area's name. You can watch them from a viewing area along the fence near Arlington Heights Road. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to see them moving about.
A paved multi-use loop of roughly eight miles that winds through the woods and around Busse Lake, with side spurs to picnic groves. It is popular with cyclists, runners, inline skaters and families. Ride counterclockwise with the flow on busy days, and bring water as fountains are limited.
An Elk Grove Park District theme park built for young children, with a pirate ship, small kiddie rides, mazes, climbing areas and themed play structures. It is ideal for kids roughly two to twelve. It opens in summer; arrive in the morning on hot days and bring sunscreen and water bottles.
An outdoor water park run by the Elk Grove Park District, with water slides, a large pool, a zero-depth entry area and splash features for younger children. It is open during the summer season. Non-residents pay a higher daily fee, so check prices and hours on the park district website first.
A small park district museum telling the story of Elk Grove from farming days to the post-war planned village, with period rooms, local artifacts and seasonal programs. It is a quick, low-key stop of under an hour. Hours are limited, so call or check the park district site before visiting.
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Photo: Alanscottwalker, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Alanscottwalker, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Alanscottwalker, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Alanscottwalker, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
