Moody Park Hide and Seek and Loop Hike

A walk in Moody Park (Longacre Park) takes you past a woodsy-themed playground and along the shoreline of a lake.

My son and I walked a 1.5-mile paved loop with a gentle incline, gaining 19 feet in elevation in this 90-acre park. We started our visit by spending some time at the playground.

In the late August each year, the park hosts the Midwest Salute to the Arts Festival.

Woods Themed Playground

My son first played on ropes, which created a spider web.

Then he went over a rope and then wood plank bridge.

He spent some time figuring out the swinging bridge course.

He took a break on a hammock-like structure.

My son joined new friends in hide-and-seek. The boardwalk included different slides and a treehouse with a hidden staircase behind a slide.

The playground also includes a smaller boardwalk with a slide and climbing structures.

Additionally, there are swings, steering wheels, stepping stones, poles, and bars to climb, a teeter-totter, a Tic Tac Toe board, a log tunnel, a maze board, and a log to climb through.

Start of Hike

The trail starts in front of the playground.

Along the trail is a storybook walk with pages displayed for kids to read as they walk.

As we traveled south, we encountered a large flock of geese.

Before we made the loop to the other side of the lake, we passed by the fence for a dog park.

Next, we come across a group of ducks with a few geese nearby.

A fitness workout station along the trail includes lake views.

Through the Woods and Baseball Fields

Now, we headed away from the lake north through a field.

We crossed the park road and saw an evergreen grove on the left, with a small baseball field on the right.

The trail goes through small woods near Longacre Drive.

It is fall, and we pass a tree with bright orange leaves. Even in a suburban park, nature’s grand show in the fall can still amaze you.

Veteran's Memorial area — *Veteran’s Memorial area*

Red-leafed bushes surround a brick patio area with a Veteran’s Memorial and flags in fall.

After passing several baseball fields, we arrived at a football field, followed by tennis and volleyball courts.

Then, we were back at the playground.

Final Thoughts

The walk includes lake views, woods, sports fields, and a playground for kids, where my son had the most fun. If you are out shopping in the Fairview Heights area, this park is a good stop for some playground fun and a park walk.

DETAILS

NOTE: Seasonal restrooms are available. Pets are not allowed in the park except in the dog park.

Drive: Take Interstate 55 over the Poplar Street Bridge, then take Exit 3 for Interstate 64. After that, take Exit 12 for Illinois Highway 159 and head south. Make a right onto Lincoln Highway, then a left onto S. Ruby Lane, and finally, make a left onto the park road. Follow the park road to the last parking lot near the lake and playground.

Hours: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., Daily

Address: 525 S Ruby Ln, Fairview Heights, IL 62208