James Park

In my opinion, this is one of the better playgrounds in the area for families with kids. It has everything you’d want—a fun slide, swings that feel safe and sturdy, and monkey bars that keep the kids busy and active. The surface is soft, which helps ease my nerves a bit when the little ones are running around. From my experience, the restrooms are clean and not too far from the play area, which is a lifesaver when you're with young kids who need to go at the last minute. I also appreciate that the park is dog-friendly, but only if your dog is on a leash. There are signs posted everywhere about this, and in my opinion, it makes the park feel much safer and more respectful for everyone. I’ve brought my own dog a few times, and as long as we follow the leash rule, it’s been a peaceful experience. The picnic area is another plus. I’ve sat there many times while the kids play—it’s shaded, has plenty of tables, and it just makes the whole visit feel more relaxing and complete. In my opinion, Jamaican Day in Evanston, Illinois, is a wonderful celebration of unity, culture, and community. It felt like a big family picnic where everyone was welcome. The air was filled with lively reggae and dancehall music, people dancing, kids running around, and the smell of delicious food cooking. I found parking easy in the nearby lot, which made getting there stress-free. The event area felt very safe to me—families, couples, and friends all enjoying themselves without any tension. I decided to get food from one of the vendors. I ordered the three-piece jerk chicken wings, rum cake, fry plantains festival rolls steam bread fruit and in my opinion, they were very tasty. Service was slow but the lines where long—when I walked up, there were about 25 people ahead of me, so I waited long. The vendor staff were friendly and kept things moving. The atmosphere overall was vibrant and positive, and the location’s open layout outside in the park allowed space for music, dancing, and eating without feeling crowded. The only small downside for me was that I wish the lines had move faster, but that didn’t take away from the good time I had. I left feeling happy, full, and connected to a joyful community spirit.