Lake Forest, Residential city in Lake County, Illinois, US.
Lake Forest is a residential city in Lake County, Illinois on the shore of Lake Michigan with a sprawling collection of private homes on large lots and public green spaces. The streets run under old tree canopy and connect neighborhoods with parks and communal spaces along the waterfront.
The city began in 1857 as a planned settlement around a newly built college and received official incorporation in 1861 as a stop for travelers between Chicago and places farther north. The railroad line brought commuters and visitors and encouraged development as a residential area with nature-inspired planning.
Market Square serves as a living center with shops and restaurants and shows early 20th-century design principles in an open courtyard arrangement. The building group draws residents for shopping and socializing and forms a gathering point for daily life.
The city spreads over a large area and is best reached by car as distances between different neighborhoods can stretch for several miles (several kilometers). Visitors should plan time to drive or cycle between parks, the town center and waterfront sections.
A local organization secures more than 700 acres (around 280 hectares) of nature preserve land within city boundaries with a network of walking trails through forests and wetlands. These protected areas remain accessible year-round and offer viewpoints overlooking the lake and native vegetation.
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