While the final leaves drop—along with the temperature—the Morton Arboretum begins gearing up for an active winter season. Boasted as the fourth most visited garden in the entire nation, the "tree zoo" attracts more than 800,000 visitors each year, but only 4 percent—including 2,093 Downers Grove residents—are year-round members who reap the benefits of unlimited free admission, discounts on classes and events and similar discounts at other arboreta. Karin Jaros, assistant director of membership, said some people don't realize there are winter events and classes. "Many people are looking …

And all this time I thought O'Brien Park was just for soccer. The field is the first thing you see from the parking lot and, frankly, I've never gone further than the sidelines on a soccer Saturday. Huge mistake. Not only does O'Brien, at 6909 Dunham Road, feature two nice playground areas and the aforementioned soccer field, but also a pond, a picturesque bridge, a decent sledding hill and, best of all, a disc golf course. On a recent unseasonably warm November weekday, the "golfers" were out in force and so were several school kids drawn to the crest of the hill by the basketball court, or …

It's been quite a while since I shared a walk in the park—or any place—with four- and five-year-olds. So when I got the chance to tag along with a class from the Downers Grove Park District Lincoln Learning Center, I couldn't resist. Aside from their general adorableness, I enjoyed seeing the woods through their wide eyes. It's a place were piles of leaves irresistably beckon, a mushroom-covered branch is a fascination, and the nuts, broken twigs and other flotsam from the forest floor are prizes to be gathered and enjoyed. Lyman Woods is also to be enjoyed, whatever your age. After I parted…

Mar-Duke Farms closes for the season this weekend, after six months of sowing, growing and harvesting. The community garden plots are tended yearly by 250 to 300 gardeners, ranging from beginners to experts. A late-season walk down the gravel road that bisects Mar-Duke revealed zinnias, over-the-hill tomatoes, blown sunflowers and a few forgotten pumpkins and squash. The dregs of a long and fruitful growing season. Mar-Duke was named for benefactors Margaret Shurte Schlauder Evert and A. "Duke" Schlauder ("Mar-Duke") on Aug. 16, 1981. Evert and Fred Evert St., had donated $100,000 to the …

Tucked a block north of Maple Avenue in one of the village's oldest neighborhoods, Randall Park is a convenient destination for sports and play. On a recent fall day, the 5.3-acre park was the scene of a youth baseball game, a family tennis outing and heavy playground traffic. And there was still plenty of room for a stroll around the gently sloping grounds.  

There's no playground equipment, no sports fields and no special attractions at Lee and Grant Park. That explains why I'd never taken my kids there, even though we live less than a mile away. I regret that now, because although Lee and Grant is a passive park, it's a pretty place and one my kids would have enjoyed playing tree tag in. The five-acre park is full of trees and not much else. A home at the north end of the property was removed when the park district acquired it and aside from a couple of benches and a picnic table, the park was never developed. A trail meanders along the south …

On a recent sunny Friday afternoon, Patriots Park was in full swing. My walk took me past parents and kids enjoying the playground, couples knoodling on park benches, joggers, young fishermen and a variety of water foul. Yet, for all the patrons, the park also offered the perfect setting for quiet contemplation and the peaceful enjoyment of the early autumn landscape. No wonder Patriots is one of the best used parks in the village. The centerpiece of the park is Barth Pond, which was dedicatd in 1998 to the memory of slain Downers Grove police officer Richard Barth. Bordered by a trail that …