Just because it is the middle of winter in Chicago doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a lovely walk in the park. Last week, Winter Lights at Central Park in Oak Brook attracted us for an evening stroll.

Winter Lights features a half-mile walk through the beautifully lit Central Park. Pathways are filled with lights wrapped around tree trunks, strung on branches and formed into archways. Illuminated messages of positivity such as “Love” and “Believe” are accompanied by lit hearts and other fun shapes. While the recent snowstorm caused other headaches, here it added to the beauty.

Photo courtesy of Oak Brook Park District

Winter Lights is a ticketed event but free to all. All standard COVID precautions are in place. The pathway is a one-way loop to help in social distancing. While it is a timed event, it is completely relaxing as walkers are never rushed. Dogs on leashes are also allowed.

Photo courtesy of Oak Brook Park District

A quick drive west of Chicago, Central Park is one of the biggest and best parks in the western suburbs. One of the highlights is the nine-hole frisbee golf course.

Photo courtesy of Oak Brook Park District

We finished the evening with pizza at the nearby Gullivers. The sister location to one of my Chicago favorites, Gullivers is famous for both stuffed pizza and thin crust; I prefer the latter. We always order appetizers so we will have leftover pizza to take home.

— John Wroblewski, online writer