Visit Lilacia Park Lombard IL

Welcome to our latest “Visiting Midwest Gardens” feature as we visit Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL …

Located in downtown Lombard, a western suburb of Chicago, Lilacia Park is renowned for its spectacular display of tulips and lilacs. This iconic village park showcases bursts of vibrant colors every spring season as you’ll soon see. Summer and autumn months bring a new wave of floral display to the park, a Chicagoland favorite dating back to 1927 …

We’re so pleased to spend a lovely peaceful morning at this beautiful locale! Join FlowerChick.com as we spotlight the colors of spring and visit Lilacia Park in Lombard, Illinois …

“Visiting Midwest Gardens” Features Local Parks

If you’ve been following along with our ongoing “Visiting Midwest Gardens” series, you’ve noticed we feature both Midwestern botanical gardens and lesser known local horticultural destinations …

There’s an old saying we’ve always liked … “Nature is where you find it”. Those words especially ring true as Zone 5 & 6 gardeners reflect on the floral appeal of our local community parks …

Many of these parks are lovingly tended and maintained year after year by volunteers and local personnel with the enjoyment of area residents in mind. It’s beauty close at hand and accessible to all …

And so it is with Lilacia Park. This 8+ acre parcel, owned and maintained by the Lombard Park District, provides a veritable escape from busy suburban life. Are there similar floral centric destinations in your community? We hope so! They’re just waiting for you to appreciate, enjoy, and create happy memories …

Lilacs in Bloom! Natural Lilac Perfume … Click Here #ad

Visit Lilacia Park: An Introduction

A four season destination, Lilacia Park is at its peak in May of each year. That’s when the tulips are in full bloom and the lilacs are showcasing their fragrant blooms for all to see …

The park is conveniently located a block west of Main Street in Lombard, a western suburb of Chicago. There’s plenty of parking on adjacent Park Avenue and when you’re in the park, lots of benches to sit and relax …

At just over 8 acres, Lilacia Park isn’t huge by suburban park standards, but you’ll want to allow 90 minutes minimum to experience and observe everything. Featuring winding inlaid brick paths, the park is easy to navigate. There are flower beds and landscaping surrounding the paths, and in spring, the luscious scent of lilacs fills the air!

Explore Lilacia Park and you’ll encounter over 200 varieties of lilacs and several dozen tulip varieties. Numerous flowering trees accent the mature landscaping. It’s likely you’ll cross paths with small local wildlife who call the park home. Squirrels, chipmunks, birds and more will be busily going about their daily routines …

Lombard is only 15-20 minutes from the famous Morton Arboretum, making a visit to both the perfect day trip destination. The two locales are actually tied together historically, as we’ll explain …

Lilac Path Eau de Parfum … Magnificent Scent! #ad

Lombard’s Lilacia Park – A Little History

The origins of Lilacia Park date back well before the current park’s dedication in 1927. This site at the corner of Park and Maple in Lombard was once the estate of a Civil War veteran and area lawyer named Colonel William Plumb …

The Colonel and his wife Helen settled in what is now known as Lombard in 1869. The couple became enamored with lilacs after touring France and returning with two specimens. They were planted on their Lombard estate which eventually became known as “Lilacia” due to the proliferation of beautiful lilacs …

In 1924, Helen Plumb passed away and the Colonel began planning for the future. He offered his lilac collection to the well known Morton family, who owned the nearby Thornhill Farm, now known as Morton Arboretum …

By then, the Colonel’s lilacs were deeply tied to the image of Lombard, and at the urging of the Morton family, remained in place. When Colonel Plumb passed away in 1927, his will bequeathed Lilacia to the Village of Lombard. The will instructed the land be used as a public park and library …

Noted landscape designer Jens Jensen was commissioned to design the park’s setting. His design provides Lilacia Park’s framework to this day. Immediately adjacent to the park’s footprint is the Lombard Public Library, as stipulated by Colonel Plumb’s wishes …

Discover more Liliacia Park history and Lombard’s famous Lilac Time Festival here …

Lilacs = Spring!

Lilacs (Syringa), known for their scented spring flowers, vary in size from large shrubs to small trees.  Lilacia Park proudly displays over 200 varieties of these blooming beauties in shades of purple, lavender, white, pale yellow, pink, and magenta.

Discover lilacs to grow in your garden here … Lilacs for Zones 5 & 6

There are early-, mid-, and late-season lilacs, which, when grown together, ensure a steady bloom for at least 6 weeks.

“Lilacs are May in essence.”

~ Jean Hersey

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Lilacs …

• Lilacs are members of the Olive family
• There are more than 1,000 varieties of lilac bushes and trees
• In the U.S. – the lilac is the official state flower of New Hampshire and represents the ‘hardy’ nature of the people in the Granite State
• Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson had an affinity for lilacs and grew them in their gardens
• The Lilac capital of the world is Rochester, New York, home of the annual Lilac Festival
• Lilac is the 8th wedding anniversary flower
• During the Victorian Age, the giving of a lilac was meant to be a reminder of an old love. In fact, widows were often seen wearing lilacs during this period

 

Nothing Beats the Captivating Scent of Fresh Lilac …

As you walk around Lilacia Park in the spring, you will delight in the perfume of all the lilacs you encounter. This is a feast for the senses … lovely spring flowering trees amidst the scenic array of colorful tulips and daffodils. Take note of the color combinations used for ideas for your own yard.

Another take away, the brilliant use of sequential planting at Lilacia. As some early blooming bulbs were fading, a new crop of mid-spring and late-spring blooming tulips, hyacinth, daffodils, muscari and narcissus were starting to bloom … complementing the striking displays.

No Need to Tiptoe Through the Tulips

You can stroll, saunter, walk, hike, pause & take photos ; ) … Lilacia Park is almost as famous for their tulip collection as their beloved lilacs.

The park is a peaceful retreat … no matter the season. The two most popular times for visitors are May – for the profusion of lilacs and blooming bulbs and December – for the park’s festive holiday lights & decorations display.

Plant these bulbs in the fall for a dazzling spring blooming show … View Here

We haven’t been to the latter, but heard it’s beautiful and free! A great thing for families to do together … typically from November through the first week of January.

Visit Lilacia Park FAQ’s

Where is Lilacia Park?  The park is located at 150 South Park Avenue, Lombard, Illinois

Is there an admission fee?  No, this is a public park and access is Free!

When do the lilacs bloom?  Typically, the first 3 weeks of May.

Where do you park?  Free parking is available on the streets surrounding Lilacia Park.  It is also steps from the Lombard Metra stop. 

Is the park family friendly?  Yes!  There are wide brick paths meandering throughout the park to accomodate strollers, wheelchairs, and groups.  No playground equipment, but kids can walk and enjoy the outdoors. Picnic tables and benches are nestled among the trees. 

Insider Tip: Just two blocks east from the park on Main Street is an old school walk-up Dairy Queen complete with a retro neon sign. A few blocks further south is the wonderful Lilac Bakery, where you’ll find freshly baked treats daily (except Sunday). Plan to stop at both of these local Lombard businesses when you visit Lilacia Park!

 

Every plant has its fitness and must be placed in its proper surroundings so as to bring out its full beauty. Therein lies the art of landscaping.

~ Jens Jensen