All aboard for a tooting good time at the Tooterville Park in Grayslake. Not only is it partly shaded, accessible for all ages and abilities, and is incredibly well kept, but it’s accessible by Metra train! What could be more fun than a train trip, park, and picnic all in one great outing!
Our adventure started at the Fox Lake station where I purchased my round-trip ticket and my kids got their souvenir stubs (don’t forget to pay for parking!). Then it was all aboard for the quick 15-minute train ride to the Grayslake Metra station (which was a perfect amount of time for my antsy 18-month-old). When we disembarked, we merely walked to the south end of the commuter lot and followed the walking trail over the bridge to Tooterville Park.
My tribe jogged past the immaculately groomed sand volleyball and paved basketball courts to the expansive playground. Although the woodchips were a little difficult for my toddler, there was something to do for everyone. We found twisty slides, wide, gradual slides, and even a handicapped accessible swing. My four-year-old loved the diggers in the sand box, and my seven-year-old was fascinated by the frogs in the marsh and the wide open field to run in. After our lunch on the picnic tables under the shady shelter (all totaling about 45 minutes) it was all aboard back to the train. I was voted the world’s coolest mom for such a fun park date, and we were all home by naptime!
A few helpful tips:
- Check your train station schedules carefully and arrive in enough time to purchase your tickets (there is an additional charge if purchased from the conductor on the train),
- There are no bathrooms at the train stations or the park, so plan accordingly (although we did visit the potty on the train),
- A stroller is useful if you are bringing younger kids (I brought an umbrella stroller for my toddler), but the walking distance is fine for older kids, and
- If you would rather not ride the rails, Tooterville is easily accessible by car, although parking is limited.
Where do you like to travel by train to?
Tooterville Park
411 Signal Lane, Grayslake, IL
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