Lilacia Park

★★★★★ Review Elisea Park in Lombard is one of the most organized, beautiful, and well-maintained parks in the area. It is among the oldest parks and has been exceptionally preserved, offering a clean, peaceful, and welcoming environment for visitors of all ages. The park is perfect for families, with plenty of open space for children to play and enjoy outdoor activities. It’s an excellent spot for picnics, walks, and quality family time. The landscaping is impressive, and the overall upkeep clearly reflects strong management and care. Its convenient location near the Lombard railway station makes it easily accessible, adding to its appeal for both locals and visitors. Elisea Park truly stands out as a community gem where families can relax, have fun, and create lasting memories. Highly recommended.

We came here to see the Christmas lights. We came here after 9 pm. You can easily find parking in the Metra parking area or in the Lombard Bible Church/Edward Elmhurst Health Center parking lot. The Christmas lights don't take that long to go through. We spent about half an hour here and we were taking pictures and videos. The hours of operation are 4:30 pm to 10 pm. The lights are there for a little under a month. Worth a visit if you’re in the area,

Beautiful garden park. Amazing when the lilacs are in bloom. There are walking paths with a few benches. There's an open grass area in the middle where you can spread out a picnic blanket, but it can be really crowded during Lilac time. They also decorate for Christmas!

Beautiful park, went for lilac fest for the first time and was amazed! So many colors and it just smelled amazing. The store was cute and definitely had some beautiful gifts. It had great access to Metra which for me is always a plus since I dislike driving. Sooooo many people taking family portraits was extremely annoying though.

Lilac Park is a stunning sanctuary, bursting with color and fragrance. Thousands of tulips create a vibrant tapestry of reds, yellows, and pinks, swaying in the gentle breeze. The lilac bushes, adorned with lush purple blossoms, add an enchanting scent that fills the air. This picturesque park is perfect for leisurely strolls, picnics, or photography. A visit to Lilac Park is a delightful escape into nature's beauty during springtime!

A hidden gem amidst the busy streets of Lombard/ VillaPark area. It has stairs and ramps. Flowers, foliage, bushes, shrubs, trees and a lot of nature to enjoy.

That was a fantastic experience, although the park is not that big but it has many species of flowers and plants that give a fresh air to me and my family while we were walking on its beautiful paved stones.

Beautiful and well maintained park. Weekend was packed since the tulips were in full bloom. Park can explored in an hour at a leisurely pace. Street parking can be difficult on weekends, but there is free parking option available only on weekends in the lot outside the main entrance. Overall it’s a nice place, we’ve been visiting since last spring during peak bloom.

We came here to see the Christmas lights. We came here after 9 pm. You can easily find parking in the Metra parking area or in the Lombard Bible Church/Edward Elmhurst Health Center parking lot. The Christmas lights don't take that long to go through. We spent about half an hour here and we were taking pictures and videos. The hours of operation are 4:30 pm to 10 pm. The lights are there for a little under a month. Worth a visit if you're in the area,

My favorite place in Chicagoland to visit in spring! My family and I come here every year when the lilacs are blooming because they're so beautiful and so many varieties! The different types each have different fragrances, and it's lovely to smell them all. There are other flowers like tulips, alliums, and more. This year I did note some disrespectful behavior, like full grown adults climbing on the deer statue. This is definitely a spot not to miss when the lilacs are blooming. The face of the park is changing since the old Helen Plum Library was torn down, and apparently that area will be redeveloped into more park space? The little gift shop is still there.

This park is located in downtown Lombard adjacent to the train station. Open daily from dawn to dusk,there is no admission . They have paved walking paths throughout the park. In May the tulips and lilacs are amazing...great photo opportunities. Definitely worth a visit.

Came here when the lilacs and tulips were in bloom (first two weeks of May). It's a really nice park to walk through with lots of flowers and plenty to look at. There isn't a playground but my son liked to see the metra train go by and had fun walking around. It's crowded during lilac days when the flowers are in bloom and the park district hosts events for those first two/ three weeks to encourage people to come check out the park.

Was in the area for lunch & came for a stroll in the summer. It's a really tiny park & brisk walking two times around it only ran 20mins. There are plenty of cute colorful birds & only 5 groups of people on a weekend afternoon. Filled with different colored varieties of lilies. Great place for a picnic (covered shelters) or a stroll.

On a busy day at work, I took a quick lunch break at the park in spring with the lilacs in full bloom. The park smelled so fragrant and alive with the flora and fauna. i had the best stroll ever middle of the day. will certainly go back. I was surprised to see a ton of seniors in the park, too, probably a senior activity arranged by their community. Highly recommend a visit to the park if in the area.

The Lilac Festival in Lombard is held here every year in May. You can check them out on social media and see the "Bloom O'Meter" to know when the peak bloom time may be occurring. Run by the park district, this park features over 200 kinds of lilacs and over 50 varieties of tulips. The culmination of the festival is the Lilac Parade down Main St. Many photographers use this park for graduation, proposal and baby on board photo ops. Open daily and no admission fee.

I absolutely love this park. The blooms are stunning and the scent is just breathtaking. It's a beautiful place to be and it's not too big so you can easily do the whole park in less than an hour. The only downside is it has become overrun in recent years with people walking in & on the flowerbeds for personal photos. It's a public park and not a private photo shoot so if you come here please be respectful of the plants and the people surrounding you. Lilac time is May 3rd-18th but it's really great year round. They also do a fabulous light show for the holidays in the winter. Definitely the gem of Lombard.

Lovely park. Great Xmas directions, great for a date. I would come back next year for sure.

A group of us decided to check out this beautifully decorated park during the Christmas time. Even though the park is not very large, the park is beautifully decorated. There were several stops for hot chocolate and photo ops. I am tempted to check out this park in the spring when the spring and summer flowers are in bloom.

Always an amazing park whether winter or Spring. Beautiful and very relaxing. Nice for spring picnics and lots of great photo opportunities.

Lilacia Park is absolutely incredible in the April and May months when all the flowers are fully in bloom. This is an amazing place to take Mom on Mother's Day- just walk around and take in all the beauty! They're doing some construction near the park but the flowers and smells are wonderful! Be sure to stop by!

Beautiful park. We were there slightly early for the lilacs but the bulbs were in full bloom. Water feature not filled and turned on yet. It was a nice stroll to see the flowers. People do need to have more respect and restraint on their children though. Saw kids running thru the flower beds and not a parent in sight. Even with a parent close by made no difference.

Lovely park. Worth the trip. So beautiful. Easy to walk. Easy to park. Fun for family, daycare, everyone. Bring a picnic. Have a wedding. Flowers. Scents. Trees. Benches. Read. Rest. Relax.

Lilacia Park, started by William Plum and designed by Jens Jensen (yeah, THAT GUY!) is a breathtaking natural oasis that celebrates the beauty of spring in all its glory. In the spring time the moment you enter the park you'll be struck by the stunning array of lilac bushes and tulips, all blooming in vibrant colors and patterns that are a testament to the beauty of nature. As a resident of Lombard, and frequent visitor before that, I have visited Lilacia Park countless times over the last 40 years, but the park never fails to take my breath away every time I visit. Yes, I especially love spring flowering trees, bushes, and bulbs, but the assortment here and the way they've arranged everything is truly impressive. One of the things that makes Lilacia Park so special is the incredible variety of lilac bushes that you can see. There are over 200 different varieties of lilac bushes in the park, from classic lilacs with their iconic large petals and sweet fragrance, to more rare varieties that display stunning colors like the deepest purples, white shades, and pink hues too. Each lilac bush is manicured throughout the seasons for optimal health and floral display, allowing visitors to admire the beauty of each of the remarkable varieties. As you walk through the park in April or May you're greeted by an incredible array of tulips with the vibrant colors and patterns creating a stunning visual feast for the eyes. Whether you're a fan of traditional tulips with their bold red and yellow hues or are intrigued by more unusual varieties like black tulips and tulips with variegated petals, you'll find them in abundance in expertly places beds throughout the park. There are restrooms in the historic Coach House at the south end of the park. With plenty of benches, stone walls, picnic tables, and open grassy areas you'll find a place to rest and absorb everything the park has to offer. I'm excited to share some tulip and lilac pictures in this review. As you can see from the images, Lilacia Park is truly a magical place during the springtime. Whether you're a photography enthusiast or simply want to soak in the natural beauty, Lilacia Park is not to be missed. This must-visit spot is a testament to the rejuvenating and refreshing power of nature, and is sure to leave you feeling inspired and uplifted. Also check out their history and lilac tours each spring for about $10 per person - strongly recommended!

Mark your calendar to visit this park from April 15 to May 15 to see the beautiful gorgeous tulips and smell the lilac flowers.

This is such a pretty park! We loved going for walks here when we were in the area. During the spring they have beautiful flowers and it is close to downtown Lombard. They even have a great Christmas Lights show that is free. My only complaint is they don't allow dogs in the park, so we were never able to take ours. I don't know how much it is enforced because I see people with their dogs sometimes, but there are clear signs all around the perimeter and in the park that dogs are not allowed. I guess I am just a rule follower. Overall, it is a nice place though.

Cute park, established in 1927. Has a pond in the middle of the park. Walking distance from downtown area. Enjoyed all the flowers they have and the deer statue is quite cute!

Gorgeous local Park District spot that is ideal for walks, picnics and a bit of running off of steam in the wide open green space. Lilacs in bloom in May and that is quite nice but even without the lilacs and tulips it is a beautiful, well-maintained, quiet space with both sun and shade. Library overlooks the park. Or stop into Elmhurst Hospital's outpatient building if you need a bathroom. Free street parking.

Sandi and I went on a tour of Lilacia Park with people from the Batavia and Geneva Park Districts. The weather was just right for the visit. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the park and the history of the park and Colonel Plum. We learned about how Lombard came into being and Colonel Plum's role in its foundation. We learned about the passion that Colonel Plum and his wife had for lilac bushes. We also discovered Mrs Plum's passion for books and the founding of the first public library in Illinois. The park and the library were gifts from Colonel Plum to the city of Lombard with his death. As we journeyed through the park we enjoyed the tulips as well as the lilacs and the other flowers that are all over this park. I am glad that people like Colonel Plum had the foresight to preserve the beauty of nature in the middle of urban sprawl. Take some time especially during the month of May to see how beautiful lilacs and tulips can be especially during the month of May.

Such a cute little park! I came here with my son to walk around and there was a lot for him to look at! It's not the best park if you want a long walk, but we did enjoy our time there. Loved the cute waterfall area. I hear it's lovely during Christmas time as well! It's definitely worth a visit!

Lilacia Park is a wonderful place year round though it is most spectacular, as its name implies, during lilac season. In peak season, typically but not necessarily early May, not only are the 700+ (or 1200, depending on your source) lilacs blooming, but also crabapple trees, tulips, daffodils, scilla, muscari, hyacinths and more. The fragrance is heavenly! I come to this small park in all seasons. The Lombard Park District does an excellent job keeping the park clean, green, and thriving. There are fewer visitors to the park in summer, fall, and winter so it's a peaceful escape disturbed only by nearby Metra trains. Lilacia Park is enchanting after a snowfall. If you have the opportunity, do visit during lilac season. Mother Nature is fickle and lilac blooms are subject to her whims, so talk to the locals before you make a long trip to see the blooms. Or if you live nearby visit often, then you'll be certain not to miss the colorful and fragrant spring show. Lilacia Park was originally part of the estate of Colonel William R. Plum, a telegraph officer in the Civil War. He bequeathed his land and collection of lilacs to the people of Lombard for a public park and his house for a free public library. Lilacia Park is adjacent to the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library. In 1929 the land was designed into a park by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen. Lombard proclaims Lilac Time for two weeks every May (no matter what the lilac blooms are doing) and celebrates with a Lilac Festival complete with Lilac Queen & Princesses, a Lilac Ball, and the Lilac Parade. There are many public events including beer & wine tastings in the park, a 5K run, the Mutt Strut, a pancake breakfast, lilac sales, tours, and more.

I never knew about this place until recently and wow, what a gem in suburbia. It is a public park with tons of flowers. Lilacs, roses, tulips are some of the ones I recognized. Even when the flowers are not in bloom, it's a great place to walk around. There are paths and lots of green grass to lay down on, as well as benches. It's a short walk from a few stores, notably Dairy Queen. If you have allergies be careful. It can get pretty crazy. Also, during the spring, I think a lot of high schools do prom activities so it gets busy. Great place to take a few photos. I heard they do concerts as well. Overall a nice place in the burbs, very close to downtown Lombard.

I love the fact that Jens Jensen (landscape designer) helped to create the park in 1927. Jensen did the great parks for Chicago (check out his stuff at www.jensjensen.org) and to think that we have an example on a smaller scale here in Lombard is amazing. His characteristic stamp is there in the stonework, grottos and views. Sadly, the park has moved a bit away from the intent in the last decade or so. The addition of the deck above the water feature just ruins the scale and vista originally intended and the plantings are in need of some serious rework. Perhaps someday when a new library is built, the park could be restored. With that said, the Christmas festive is fantastic. The LPD does a wonderful job with the Santa (on that @$&! deck), lights, decorations, a train ride and even hot chocolate. It's best for the smaller kids, of course, and only takes ~ hour, but it harkens back to a simpler time. I think this outshines the lilac festive.

If I had driven long distances to see the park, I'd have been disappointed. However, I only drove 20 minutes and it was worth it. Admission is free (it's possible that during the festival it's not). The park probably doesn't look like much when the lilacs aren't in bloom. So go when they are. (Their website has a handy bloom-o-meter so you'll know, if you aren't local.) If you like lilacs (and I do), it's interesting to go, look at the different kinds, and smell the lilacs. There were several of us sticking our noses in the lilacs and we looked ridiculous but we were happy. This is a smallish park (2.5 acres, I think) - easily walkable by one person, sticking her nose in the lilacs, in half an hour. It's lots of lilac trees with brick or grass paths between them, with a nice assortment of tulips, including Queen of the Night (practically black), parrot tulips, and various others of interest if you like tulips, planted in rows and surrounded by mulch. There are also a couple of nice groupings of daffodils/narcissus. Some are labeled; many are not. Time your visit right and the local flower association will be selling lilac bushes ($25 - pretty standard price) - this appears to be a Friday-Saturday-Sunday thing one of the three weekends things are in bloom. There are benches so you can sit and rest, eat your lunch, or just relax. There's also a small gift shop - much of the stuff there was kitschy, but some of the photo-cards (of lilacs, natch) and lilacs-painted-on-various-items by a local "decorative artist" are nice. Basically, if you like flower gardens, you'll like it. If you don't, you'll wonder what all the fuss is about. I found the half hour I spent there restful, relaxing and worth it (hey, it's free) - but I might go once a year. Excellent train access; you can see the Metra trains from the park.

Last year, we travelled all the way to Holland, MI to see the tulips. Had no idea that the Lilacia Park in Lombard has an amazing Tulip & Lilac garden. The fragrance when you walk into the place is rejuvinating. The place isn't much crowded or noisy. The perfect place for a romantic walk or a family picnic or even wedding photo shoot. If you are into photography, this is one place for you...with all the beautiful tulips and lilacs in spring.

Although the website meter showed lilacs at full bloom that was not true for many which were either past or yet to bloom. Expected to see more lilac plants throughout the park rather than basically single plants lining walkways in most cases. What there was were a great many tulips and other early spring flowers. Tip: to minimize steps enter either at the NE corner arch entrance or the southwest corner thru what looks like an alley up to some buildings. We saw a tour group of seniors walking up that alley and should have figured out they knew something :)

As far as urban area parks go, Lilacia Park has it going on! What a lovely little hidden oasis of various trees, greenery and a great assortment flowers tucked behind the library in Lombard! Several winding paths and some small water areas with several benches scattered throughout to take a rest and just enjoy the beauty and peace of the park. They also have a few picnic tables as well which elevated them to 5-star status in my book.

One reviewer said that there was too much green space, another that there were too many tulips. Geez, who knew Lord and Lady PainInTheAss were spending so much time at Lilacia Park? Gimme a break. It's a park--a really cute park. With a little pond and some benches and wandering, flower paths. And it has a touching history for the city of Lombard, dating back to 1911 when Colonel Plum and his wife planted two hybrid lilac bushes. Just two lilac bushes in a garden that now boasts nearly 200 different varieties. If you hate lilacs, tulips, and the color green, this place is not for you. But if you're a reasonable human being with a basic understanding of the word "park," you've come to the right place.

Albeit a little chilly, our first experience at Lilacia Park was a great one. My husband & son were at a doctor's appointment across the street, so once my littlest wokw up from napping in her car seat, the girls (4y & 19m old) & I headed to check it all out. Funny how I've been in this area about ten thousand times & never knew of this little gem! In short, I loved it. It was sheer olfactory heaven, to say the least. The whole area--while not terribly large--was scenic, spacious, & just overall beautiful. It didn't take long for the three if us to trek around, and that was with my 4 y/o stopping to sniff, well, pretty much any & every lilac blossom she could reach. We'll definitely make a pointed trip out here next year. Highly recommended!

Despite living in Lombard for about a year now, I only just really explored Lilacia Park this past weekend. So I'm not sure what it looks like at the peak of lilac season, but I can tell you that it's beautiful in mid-summer too. There are lots of flowers and trees and beautiful plants, winding paths and shady spots, picnic tables, benches and a pavilion. We're lucky to have some great parks in Lombard and this one has history to boot. Whether it's during the peak of lilac season or just a warm fall picnic, this is a great spot for some natural beauty.

I have to disagree with the other reviews before me. I live really close and haven't gone for a few years. I went this year because people rave how beautiful, magical, "scentsational" this park is. I thought, well maybe since the last time I was there they changed it around. I can not figure out what the big deal is. Yes there are tulips every where and a bunch of lilac bushes, but I totally expected so much more. What I saw was a dirty pond that should had a fountain but it wasn't working as well as the waterfall. I also saw an area that had a nice statue, but nothing but hostas planted in that area. It could be such a nice park and it is so convenient as the train stops directly in front of it. But why people drive from miles away to see this...I am embarrassed by this park. I am expecting flowers and flowers and beautiful fountains and its really a kind of sad dead park. AND they charge you to get in! Don't waste your time. Go to Cantigne or to the Morton Arboretum.

Went to see the Hillbilly Rockstarz (Country's #1 Cover Band in the Chicago area) last night at this park. THEY ROCKED IT OUT. The park is located on the West side of downtown. It's a beautiful park with a nice brick path and plenty of plants and flowers, including lilacs. The Plum Library is also located on site. This place is quite a gem for Lombard.

Waiting for the Metra train when the lilacs were in bloom was guaranteed to have me arriving to work with a splitting headache. Can you say overkill? The park is really nice for about 3 weeks out of the year. The rest of the time, it's just sort of blah. And there are hooligans that hang out here after it gets dark. The Lombard police car usually parked nearby makes me feel a bit safer though.

I've never seen a holiday lights display like this. Not in NYC, NOT in CHICAGO, nowhere! Go here now. Bring the whole family. You will be amazed and a smile will come to your face no matter what age. Choo Choo train. Santa. Lights. Benches. Truly an awesome experience. I hear its just as beautiful in the spring and summer time with its Lilacs display!

Beautiful park in the spring. The tulips are beautiful- we drove over a hour to get here which we wouldn't do again for how small it was but it was beautiful for pictures with all the tulips and flowers blooming.

If you love lilacs, you need to get over to Lilacia Park pronto! I absolutely love the smell of lilacs so this is the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll. If you want to experience the lilacs and tulips, you need to go this weekend! Seriously. Everything is perfect right now and won't last much longer. Entrance is free and there are lots of hidden spots to sit and enjoy nature.

Beautiful when the lilacs are in bloom. Bring a camera and get your nose ready.

How can you not love Lilacia Park? Well, unless it puts your allergies on overload than I can see why you wouldn't, but my is this place GORGEOUS! I was actually in Lombard for their Mutt Strut 5K and we started on the outskirts of Lilacia Park and finished at one of the entrance. After the race I took a leisure walk through Lilacia and it's breath taking. An abundant variety of Lilacs and Tulips. A perfect setting for a picnic at the park. There were seating within the park and a few tables just on the outskirts. The flowers were in full bloom and their scent were refreshing. Unfortunately it only stay this way for about one month throughout the entire year so it's kind of a hidden gem in a sense that you need to catch it at the right time. I'll have to plan a picnic here next year.

I grew up in Lombard during the 60s and 70s. Every chance I get I return for the Lilac parade and to take a walk through Lilacia Park . And I talk plenty of pictures . The smell from the flowers and lilacs are out of this world.

What a beautiful little place. I can't believe how pretty it is in person. Last night we saw their Christmas lights display with some family members who are not from Lombard. They all agreed that Lilacia's Christmas lights rivaled that of Chicago's! We were served free hot chocolate and cookies and took a train ride. And amongst all the Christmas magic, we witnessed a marriage proposal happen! Kudos to that guy because this place was just the perfect spot to pop the question! We will be coming to see the Christmas lights every year they decide to put them up. The park itself it's just gorgeous and a great place to walk around. Stop by if you can!

Beautiful park, particularly in mid-May when all the lilacs are in bloom.

If you're looking for a brisk and easy walk, this is a nice change. It's definitely on the smaller side but because of how the paths are laid out, you can make it a longer walk for yourself. Since it was a late summer night, it wasn't too busy. Plenty of nice flowers and trees to enjoy on your walk.

Beautiful Christmas display and Beautiful flowers all spring and summer long. It is a fabulous place to picnic and relax in the grass.

For three weeks in May Lilacia Park is the most special garden in all of the Midwest. The public park in suburban Lombard has a remarkable number of lilac species, and during early-mid May something is always in fragrant bloom. It is an experience not to be missed. Easy parking and no entrance fee. I try to visit every few years to recharge my soul.

Taking prom and homecoming photos here can be a hassle but overall it's a beautiful park and me and my friends in pat have taken the time to wander around and enjoy the scenery. My favorite is when the holiday lights are on display!

My husband and I visited Lilacia Park during the festival in 1981. We were on our first date! We have been back to the park every year since then, brought our kids with us when they were younger. We will be married 29 years this July. Every year we try to attend as many times as possible, depending on the blooming schedule. Sometimes there are only tulips, sometimes only lilacs. This year it will be particularly difficult to figure out when to go, with the early spring/summer we had in March. It's always a fun trip, unless it's storming. Happy Spring. :)

Had a wonderful time at Lilacia Park with my wife and two kids. Nothing against the park, but for whatever reason, the overwhelming amounts of lilacs left my son in a daze. For the better part of 30 minutes, he was unable to control his bowels, effectively ruining his corduroys. Wonderful place, however be mindful of the possibility of explosive diarrhea due to the overwhelming amount of lilacs present at the park.

In the heart of downtown Lombard this is a great place to go for a walk with the family. Beautiful flowers in the summer time and awesome Christmas lighting during the winter.