Address
400 W. University
Champaign
IL
United States
West Side Park is a classic—historical even—mid-1800s park at 400 W. University Ave. West Side Park a 13-acre property, sitting on the edge of downtown Champaign, amid older homes and businesses, you can only find on-street parking. The best free parking areas are Elm Street first, then State or Church Streets for metered parking. The metered parking is free on the weekends and there’s plenty of it.
Multiple pathways dotted with old-fashioned lanterns and well-kept landscaping will lead you past multiple statues and sculptures. They all tell a story in history whether it be Abe Lincoln’s face or a little boy and his dog in bronze. Bells chime every 15 minutes from a nearby church. This charming sound only added to the historical ambiance.
The playground has slides varying in size, swings, a tube to climb in, a bridge and contraptions to spin and climb from, it’s a gated playground, great if you have toddlers.
Another beautiful attraction to the park is the fountain, with elegant statue on top, the fountain has a great metal fence around it to help keep children and pets from jumping in.
This beautiful stone gazebo is the perfect place for kids to play house in.
There are water fountains for your convenience, but no portable potties.
