end of kid's sledding

Swallow Cliff has a long history of entertaining local residents, as a ski jump as well as for toboggans.
A 1927 article from the Palos Journal describes the site:
"One does not need to go to Banff, to Norway, to Switzerland, or to Lake Placid to
enjoy tobogganing and skiing; one can enjoy these sports right in the Forest Preserves
of Palos. Here are ample facilities, in the high ski slide, and the toboggans, which may
be rented, for enjoying these invigorating exercises in the open air."
In 1923, the first toboggan slide was erected at Swallow Cliff. The following year marked
the opening of the ski jump.
In 1929, the site was host to an international ski
jumping tournament that drew 45,000 spectators, according to the Palos Journal.
The original slide was replaced with three safer wooden slides, and in the 1930s the
Civilian Conservation Corps added the final three slides, a control tower and earthen
troughs, which slow tobogganers when they finish their run.


http://www.gromak.com/r/roseland_area/Palos Park/slides/Swallow Cliff Toboggan slides2.html



Some great history:

I love how they say that visitors were dwindling, but the last day that swallow cliff was open, they had 6000 people show up and wait to go down the two only safe lanes left to run. Sounds like people would come and enjoy it to me....
http://www.chicagolife.net/content/chicago/The_Demise_of_the_Toboggan_Run


Yelp review:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/swallow-cliff-woods-north-palos-hills


How much of a workout it is for you:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...-stairs-20111130_1_stairs-tobogganers-workout


Another stair review:

http://southtownstar.chicagotribune...-exactly-a-walk-in-the-park.html#.VKqjNyvF_mc



Here's a cut and paste from another site:

My brothers and I grew up in Orland Park and Lockport in the 70s and went to the toboggan slides every winter. We have the best memories of those days. I remember the free fall, you couldn't scream. My brother put his hand out one time to slow us down and skinned his knuckles through his gloves because of the concrete walls. We live in Colorado now and was surprised to see it was closed. What memories!!!!!


http://marathonpundit.blogspot.com/2013/05/photos-former-swallow-cliff-toboggan.html