At a glance
#3 of 4 Tourist attractions in Oak Park #2 of 4 Parks in Oak ParkLocalGuideWorld score: 4.61
Rating breakdown
-
5 ★74%
-
4 ★19%
-
3 ★4%
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2 ★1%
-
1 ★2%
Quick facts
- What is the rating of Austin Gardens?
- Austin Gardens is rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 240 reviews.
- How does Austin Gardens rank in Oak Park?
- Austin Gardens is #3 of 4 Tourist attractions in Oak Park by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
- Where is Austin Gardens located?
- 167 Forest Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, United States — 1.0 km from the center of Oak Park.
- How can I contact Austin Gardens?
- Phone: +1 708-524-2050 · Website: pdop.org
If you like Shakespeare even a little, or like outdoor theatre, or just like sitting in a park on beautiful summer evenings, RUN - do not walk - to see the Oak Park Festival Theatre production of Romeo and Juliet. I have seen this performed over a dozen times in different formats, and this one may be the most fun riff I have ever seen.
The whole production is wild - flipping back and forth from the poignancy of forbidden love encapsulated in that lovely Shakespearean prose to corny joking and ridiculous costumes. There are plenty of cringe-worthy moments, but somehow in a good way. And then you bounced right back into the severe dilemma these young lovers and their respective posses face. It is deliciously cathartic. There is so much happening so fast that I am sure I missed enough that I am reading the play before I go back to see the performance again before the run ends, on August 17th.
The cast is great, but Juliet - played by Rachel J. Jones - (please pardon the cliche here) STEALS THE SHOW. She may be the best, most fun, most engaging Juliet I personally have ever seen.
This show is a must-see for Summer 2024. Bravo to the OPFT team for this wonderful accomplishment.
The whole production is wild - flipping back and forth from the poignancy of forbidden love encapsulated in that lovely Shakespearean prose to corny joking and ridiculous costumes. There are plenty of cringe-worthy moments, but somehow in a good way. And then you bounced right back into the severe dilemma these young lovers and their respective posses face. It is deliciously cathartic. There is so much happening so fast that I am sure I missed enough that I am reading the play before I go back to see the performance again before the run ends, on August 17th.
The cast is great, but Juliet - played by Rachel J. Jones - (please pardon the cliche here) STEALS THE SHOW. She may be the best, most fun, most engaging Juliet I personally have ever seen.
This show is a must-see for Summer 2024. Bravo to the OPFT team for this wonderful accomplishment.
Lots of points of entry, plenty of benches, a nice mix of sun and shade, bathrooms, and a walking trail - what more could you ask for?!
Growing up in Oak Park, this was the park for kids to sell drugs and other illegal activities. It was always known as the “shady” park. I moved back to Oak Park during the pandemic and blown away by all the positive reviews. Lake St went gentrified and now people think its a nice area 😂 Just a few years ago people were shooting up in this park all night long. I wonder what changed if not for the new residents in the area.
Very nice lady title park. Pretty flowers in the springtime, good for a quick stroll.
Our first visit to Oak Park Austin Gardens on the occasion of the screening of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream turned out to be a half realized dream with August showers playing spoil sport. The park itself is located in the heart of the city and is well maintained. There are limited roadside parking but a wonderful paid parking lot just opposite the park.
The organizers are very well equipped to handle the crowd, organized and meticulous, in making the visitors' time very efficient. There are 3 permanent restrooms by the building and 2 more temporary but well-built modernized toilets, unlike those horrible port-a-johns. These toilets are better than even airline toilets.
Our experience was totally worth the price of the tickets. Though there was a light drizzle towards the end of the first part of the play, the play continued. However, after intermission, the showers were a bit more pronounced, and we made our way back. Though we read it later via email that the second part was canceled and a rain check issued, the people gathered there were well equipped for the eventuality. They had not only brought food and drinks, but the whole apparatuses like personal folding tables and coolers, warmers, jackets, ponchos, umbrellas, and other stuff to protect themselves from the elements. Even though the temperature was a good 73 degrees, the park, being an open space, was considerably cooler around 68.
We expect to go back for the second half of the play. We even got to see a rainbow 🌈 in the sky.
The organizers are very well equipped to handle the crowd, organized and meticulous, in making the visitors' time very efficient. There are 3 permanent restrooms by the building and 2 more temporary but well-built modernized toilets, unlike those horrible port-a-johns. These toilets are better than even airline toilets.
Our experience was totally worth the price of the tickets. Though there was a light drizzle towards the end of the first part of the play, the play continued. However, after intermission, the showers were a bit more pronounced, and we made our way back. Though we read it later via email that the second part was canceled and a rain check issued, the people gathered there were well equipped for the eventuality. They had not only brought food and drinks, but the whole apparatuses like personal folding tables and coolers, warmers, jackets, ponchos, umbrellas, and other stuff to protect themselves from the elements. Even though the temperature was a good 73 degrees, the park, being an open space, was considerably cooler around 68.
We expect to go back for the second half of the play. We even got to see a rainbow 🌈 in the sky.
Just discovered this gem of an amazing place to just zen out and they have a little library with amazing books. I might just donate some too.
Nice open area with a safe and friendly vibe. Dog-friendly and kid-friendly! It’s behind some nice apartment complexes and far enough away from busy street traffic. There appears to be a field house, benches along the walking path, and a nice field in the middle. Lots of trees to provide shade in the summer!
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