Dan Ryan Woods (Chicago, Evergreen Park: neighborhood, safe, car)

[Bardot]

Forgive my outright ignorance, but has anyone ever visited the Dan Ryan Woods?

It gets excellent reviews on Yelp as a place to walk, bike, or have a picnic but I've never been in that neck of the woods (excuse the pun) so I'm unfamiliar with the neighborhood. I've also heard mention of "wild dogs" approaching people? I'm asking because I'd like to picnic in some less crowded areas, more green areas of the city this summer. Thanks in advance, and again, excuse my ignorance on this topic.

[NealIRC]

It's pretty pretty. And there's a big hill on 87th just east of Western. Makes it feel like the countryside.

It's 1 of 2 forests-area in Chicago.

[Bardot]

^Thanks so much. Do you know if it's generally considered safe to spend the day there (and leave car parked all day)?

[beaniemac]

it's nice out there. the southern part of the dan ryan woods is in beverly, and I always see people walking those trails when I drive by given the weather is nice.

[NealIRC]

You're actually right next to the suburb, Evergreen Park.

As for the car, it all depends on the car.

[Bardot]

Many thanks!

[Gemini1963]

We walk there somewhat often (depends on when we have free time and whether it has rained recently -- it gets muddy). I have heard the "wild dogs" story, too, but I THINK that was an isolated incident that was probably close to a decade ago now.

It's very pretty there. I don't walk there alone, because it does feel kind of isolated and like you would not have a lot of recourse if you ran into trouble (also because my sense of direction stinks, and I quickly get disoriented out there). BUT, in my walks with other people, I have never actually run into any kind of trouble, so it's possible that I'm being overcautious.

You can park on side streets in Beverly (turn north off 95th Street at Damen or Leavitt; there is an entrance into the woods at about 91st & Pleasant) and your car would certainly be fine. I don't know if there is enough there to spend the day there, though - more like a couple of hours, probably.

I don't know about parking at the "official" parking lot (off of Western, between 91st & 87th, I think), but that's probably fine for all day, too.