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Sports and Recreation in Chicago Southland

By Cary Estes on May 29, 2014

Chicago Fire Soccer Team in Chicago, IL
Homewood / Photo courtesy of Dennis Wierzbicki
The Chicago Fire soccer team, part of the Major League Soccer organization, is named for the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

The sporting scene permeates throughout Chicago Southland, both on the professional level and among amateur athletes who take advantage of the numerous recreational offerings in the area. So whether you want to watch or to do, there are plenty of possibilities.

Pro Sports Teams

Some of the biggest names in pro sports call Chicago home, including the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and major league baseball’s Chicago White Sox. Fans also can enjoy soccer action from the Chicago Fire, professional women’s basketball by the Chicago Sky, and the charm of minor league baseball with the Windy City Thunderbolts.

Trails

One of the newest outdoor attractions in Chicago Southland is the Cal-Sag Trail, a multi-use trail system scheduled to open in 2014. Stretching for 26 miles along the banks of the Cal-Sag Channel and the Calumet River, the completed trail will connect the residents of 14 communities to area parks, transit systems and retail centers.

The Old Plank Road Trail is part of the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy system. Following an old trading route that dates to the 1700s, the OPRT travels 22 miles from Joliet to Chicago Heights. Several towns along the paved route hold weekend farmers markets.

Adventure Trails near Balmoral Park in Crete is a family entertainment center featuring a variety of games and rides, including miniature golf, go-kart rides and batting cages. The Balmoral Park horse racing track has been in operation since 1926.

Recreational Facilities

Whether it’s an invigorating game of racquetball, a series of laps in the pool or a strenuous session of ice skating, Chicago Southland residents have a number of ways to stay in shape. One of the most popular is the Homewood-Flossmoor Ice Arena, which provides programs for skaters of all abilities, from a skating school for beginners to adult and youth hockey league programs for experts.

The H-F Racquet and Fitness Club offers tennis, swimming and general fitness facilities. Recreational opportunities also can be enjoyed at the South Holland Community Center and the Lions Club Park and Pool.

Golf Courses

There are more than 30 public and private golf courses in Chicago Southland, highlighted by the Olympia Fields Country Club, which hosted the 2003 U.S. Open Championship and is scheduled to hold the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2015. Other courses in the area include Ravisloe Country Club, Flossmoore Country Club, Silver Lake Country Club, Balmoral Woods Country Club, Lincolnshire Country Club, The Odyssey Country Club and Ruffled Feathers Golf Club.

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