The Oak Brook Park District’s popular free Winter Lights at Central Park program began Thursday Nov. 23 and continues through Jan. 7.
Visitors may walk each day from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. through a lit up and decorated one-half mile of Central Park, 1450 Forest Gate Road. The walking path is a one-way looped circle. The path will be closed at 9:30 p.m. each night and during inclement weather. Dogs are allowed if on a leash.
Decorations along the walk include dancing trees, colorful rainbow arches, cascading snowflakes, twirling icicles, colored butterflies, and musical hearts. Park District staff said there are several good photo opportunities throughout the walk.
Winter Lights was started by the Park District in 2020 and has continued to be very popular, said Laure Kosey, the Park District’s executive director.
“We started this due to COVID because we wanted to offer the community something to do outside in the winter months that was free,” she said. “We have over 29,000 people come a year to visit and then hopefully stop to shop and eat in Oak Brook.”
Kosey said the event is completely funded by corporate sponsors.
On some of the Winter Lights dates, participants will be able to warm up before, after, or during a walk through the park at the Cocoa Cabin, which is located at the Park District’s Central Park West, 1500 Forest Gate Road.
Park District staff said The Coco Cabin is decorated with snowflakes and lights, and there will be a variety of seasonal refreshments for sale, including cookies, candy canes and hot chocolate.
The Cocoa Cabin will be open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 24-25, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, Dec. 21 and Dec. 28
While Winter Lights is free to attend, donations are being accepted to benefit the Peoples Resource Center and The Oak Brook Park District Foundation.
The Wheaton-based People’s Resource Center states that it exists to respond to basic human needs, promote dignity and justice, and create a future of hope and opportunity for DuPage County residents.
The Oak Brook Park District Foundation is committed to assisting the Oak Brook Park District by securing philanthropic support on its behalf to enhance the use, growth and preservation of parks, open lands, facilities, and programs.
More Top Picks Best Drip Coffee Makers
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.