Tom's Turtle Pond

This place does not fail to evoke wonder and curiosity in me. Tom's Pond Zoo is a gem of a zoo in the Schiller Park are with gorgeous modern architecture all around. I enjoy the viewing areas for the turtles and the fact that I'm able to get so close to them and admire them in this way. I'm always blown away at how beautiful scenery and the turtles are and have a renewed appreciation for the diversity of the turtles and gold fish.nnParking is free. If the parking lot is filled, there is a second floor across the IRS building.

This is a surprisingly nice little zoo. It was awesome to get so close to some of the animals - check out the turtles where you walk in the same area where they roam freely or take the path through the rabbit and squirrel prairie! There are also some interesting animals that we've rarely or never seen at even some very large zoos. 10/10 would visit again.

The tranquility and serenity in this area is magnificent. If I could only bring my surfboard and float on the pond, it would make for a great summer day and you can become one with nature, spending time with land and water creatures soaking up the sun rays like this little Ninja Turtle on a make-shift Lilly pad Turtle Power!!

Don't be fooled - this is no ordinary pond.nnThere is a strange lore behind this seemingly relaxed body of water. Legend has it, a quirky man walks behind this pond, an overly large bag of aquatic food fitted between his armpit. In fact, the mans presence was seemingly so common that it would be a regular topic. First, the weather. Then, the day. Then almost by clockwork, the quirky man would come into subject. The strangeness of it? Nobody seemed to be able to describe the man into detail. Some say he had a beer belly with long flowing hair. Other people have said he was a fit gymnast who could swim through the ponds of eon itself.nnThe more the man was discussed, the more questions were asked. By almost seemingly contradiction, the more the man was spoken of, the less people have been able to see of him. As the rumors spread, many individuals have taken up ownership of attempting to capture pictures, videos, anything that would show evidence of what once was a seemingly common occurrence. But alas, as photographers and conspiracy theorists alike looked down at their cameras, all they saw was a pond. Tom's Turtle Pond.nnAs just as fast rumors spread, they died out. One by one, people have forgotten the near history, the lore, of the quirky man with the aquatic food. But i know something that they don't.nnI know that if you go to the pond, with an empty clear head, and rest your head against the inclined soft grass, turtles will slowly rise from their feeding. Fish will swim slowly against the soft, summer winds. And maybe, just maybe, you will see that man, with his quirky smile, at Tom's Turtle Pond.

Had a great time here. Plenty of goldfish and turtles to observe and feed. Had a picnic on the grassy knoll in the shade....it was wonderful. Highly recommend and Tom the owner is a hoot.