This Little-Known Scenic Spot In Illinois That Comes Alive With Color Come Fall
By Linze Rice|Published October 04, 2023
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Linze Rice
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Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Set out your pumpkins and mums, folks, because it’s official: Fall is here in Illinois. The most colorful season of all, fall in the Prairie State offers some of the state’s most stunning sceneries and features tons of harvest festivals, like my hometown favorite, the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival. In fact, the fall foliage in Sycamore, Illinois is hard to beat. Combined with its charming small-town appeal, beloved courthouse pumpkin display, and adorable Main Street, Sycamore thrives in the autumn as a picturesque fall day trip or weekend getaway destination. And for those who love to enjoy the changing leaves in the peaceful solitude of nature, this little-known spot is a must-visit.
Leon D. Larson Memorial Park, located at 1212 Larson St., is a small park nestled between a picturesque residential neighborhood and cornfields. It's easily accessible by bike, foot, or vehicle, and includes an open field, playground, and several walking paths right at the park's entrance.
While plenty of families gather here in the park, there's also a good chance you may get some tranquil alone time. In fact, the park served as the venue for my wedding, which included a small, private ceremony that took place in a forested area in the back of the photo above.
One of your options is to take the trail to the right, which leads you to the Larry Steczo Outdoor Education Center — a field surrounded by trees filled with a walking path, native plant gardens, play equipment, and signage that educates visitors on the local environment. In autumn, the goldenrod transforms the area into an idyllic fall landscape.
As you explore the area, details big and small start to emerge. As tempting as they are, these beautiful red berries are part of a feast for the eyes, only.
Linze Rice
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One of my favorite parts of the park runs alongside the education area — a long hallway of trees littered with copper leaves. This is a great place for solo reflection, a walk with your dog, or a romantic fall stroll.
On the other side of the park, another canyon-like corridor of tall trees — this one with a paved — weaves between a sea of golden corn stalks and the banks of the gentle Kishwaukee River.
While it's easy to walk down to the shore, a river overlook with benches also offers an opportunity to stop and admire the scenery. Even as the season changes, riverbank flowers spout off their last bursts of color just as the leaves begin to take their turn.
You'll also find plenty of friendly creatures along the way like rabbits, deer, squirrels, and birds — but during spooky season, especially, impressively intricate webs are easy to spot at the park's overlooks and bridges.
The park's trail ends at the neighboring Sycamore Rotary Park, where you can fish, walk out on piers, or take a loop around the pond to head back toward the starting point. But do take a moment to linger at the lake — in fall, it's a bucolic place to take in an early sunset as the soothing sound of the water does wonders to restore the soul.
For those seeking the ultimate autumnal vibes, a trip to view the fall foliage in Sycamore, Illinois is certainly worth it. Like a real-life Halloweentown, this adorable Midwestern town has everything the season calls for. Start planning your trip by checking out the Sycamore Park District website and the Sycamore Park District Facebook page, as well as the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival website and Facebook page. Make your fall getaway complete by booking a room at the super cozy Country Inn & Suites by Radisson — just a 5-minute drive to downtown Sycamore, and only a 7-minute drive to Leon D. Larson Memorial Park. Or, if you’re in the mood to camp, the Sycamore RV Park is one of the top-rated in the state!
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