Parks

The new park at the former Northwestern Steel and Wire Mill site is phase one of Sterling’s $300 million Riverfront Reimagined Project.

Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves host volunteers to help restore sunlight to the woodland floor for Oak trees to reproduce by clearing invasive Maple trees and brush in Pilcher Park in Joliet on Sunday, Nov. 10.

Park District of La Grange officials are expected to discuss specific plans for various parks now that voters have approved a property tax hike referendum

The village of Algonquin is looking to residents to help create a renovation plan for Willoughby Farms Park at an open house Saturday.

Mt. Morris officials hope to have Zickuhr Park renovations started — and completed — next year. In January, the village of Mt. Morris received a $152,600 OSLAD grant to redevelop Zickuhr Park; the total cost of the project is $305,200.

Northern Illinois University’s Media Relations Department confirmed Sept. 23 that the 141-acre facility will permanently close Dec. 15.

What is now empty green space off Bloody Gulch Road, between the city’s Gateway development along South Galena Avenue near Interstate 88 and a neighborhood known as Overlook Gardens, will soon be a gathering space complete with a multi-use path, fishing piers and picnic areas.

Joliet and state officials on Wednesday celebrated park improvements funded through state grants made available along Route 66 ahead of the historic highway’s 100th anniversary year in 2026.

It might be an uphill swim, but Dixon Park District’s executive director believes the time is right to build an aquatics center.

Mayor Diana Merdian and Riverfront Reimagined commissioners met Wednesday, Oct. 16, to discuss the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act, which is legislation encouraging economic growth through redevelopment and revitalization projects found typically in areas along waterfronts.

The Joliet City Council will vote Tuesday on plans to move ahead with a city park on North Center street originally conceived as a potential deterrent to an apartment housing sex offenders.

The city held a rededication of Joliet’s Gardens and Arbors on 129th Infantry Drive Tuesday, thanks to a $25,000 grant from Canadian National.

Rock River Valley Bike Club, with permission from the Dixon Park District, has been expanding and maintaining bike trail systems throughout the city’s parks. The park district allows the bike club to use their land to create and map bike trail systems. RRVBC then maintains them.

After years of planning and preparation, Sterling broke ground Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, on a riverfront park plan at the site of the former Northwestern Steel and Wire.

The first phase of a $7 million revamping of the Inwood Ice Arena in Joliet is completed. These are the first major improvements to the facility that was built in 1993.

The new park at the former Northwestern Steel and Wire Mill site is Phase One of Sterling’s $300 million Riverfront Reimagined Project.

NIU: The aging infrastructure, including a wastewater treatment facility that has exceeded its functional lifespan, would require millions of dollars of investment to bring it to modern standards.

The Sterling Park District is hosting its 32nd annual Pumpkin Dash from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 5; Haunted Train Walk on the Dillon Home grounds is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct 19.

There are big plans for La Grange parks if voters approve referendum on Nov. 5

The city of Joliet acquired land two years ago to create a park that could force sex offenders in nearby apartments to move.

Crews took down playground equipment Wednesday at 28th Street Park in Peru and are adding lighting to Sunset Park. 28th Street Park is getting a new playground in October.

The new park along the Rock River at the former Northwestern Steel and Wire Mill site is Phase One of Sterling’s $300 million Riverfront Reimagined Project.

Nearly every parking spot was full along Dixon's Custer Avenue on Tuesday as community members gathered at Vaile Park to celebrate the grand opening of the Larry and Louise Reed basketball courts.

The newly refurbished park, originally called 10th Avenue Park or School Park, has been under construction for the past few months.

The movie begins at 7 p.m. Come as you are or dress as your favorite witch.

Hikers will meet at Lock 25 and be shuttled to Bridge 41.

September is National Hunger Action Month and several Plainfield organizations and taxing bodies are joining together to help support local food pantries.

The basketball courts are named in honor of the late Larry Reed and his wife, Louise, who are known for their support of local sports and community projects.

Woodstock's parks master plan lays out hopes for park upgrades in coming years.

McHenry's Miller Riverfront Park set to close for two weeks to boaters during a parking lot reconstruction.

The Sept. 10 ceremony, set to last from 5:30-7:30 p.m., will officially open the park to the public.

The Huntley Park District is asking voters to give their blessing to an $18 million bond sale that would involve a tax increase.

Waiola Park in La Grange will get a significant upgrade next year thanks to a state grant the Park District of La Grange secured in January.

The Elmhurst Park District will ask voters in November to approve an $89.95 million funding plan for a new Wagner Community Center, a band shell in Wilder Park and other outdoor amenities.

The basketball courts are nearly finished, the landscaping is done and they are just waiting for painting of the courts and installation of new backboards.

Woodstock wants to build a splash pad at Woodstock Water Works, located inside Emricson Park on the city’s West Side, but still needs to find ways to fund the project.

Steps for Strays is hosted by Granny Rose Animal Shelter and will feature a walk through the trails of Lowell Park, face painting, an owner-dog look-a-like contest, a best trick contest, informational tables from local pet-based businesses and more.

Still time to enjoy summer fun before Will County kids head back to school. These community pools have August open swim hours.

Four blues bands will be performing at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet from 3 to 10 p.m. on Saturday.

The Elmhurst Park District Board of Park Commissioners Monday voted unanimously to give residents the choice to fund high-priority projects identified by the community through a referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Event was held at Oregon Park West.

Gurnee Park District is excited to announce and welcome its new director of recreation, Melissa Marsh.

An "incident" at a Cary swimming pool prompted a police response and investigation.

The Underground is a St. Charles Park District community space for its teens. With computers for gaming, space to study and room to hang out and chat, it’s a favorite spot for tweens and teens located just steps from downtown St. Charles.

Polo officials gathered with representatives of the William & Beverly Burkardt Family Foundation at two city parks Monday afternoon to hold dedications for some new additions.

The city of Polo held two dedications Monday, July 29, 2024. The first was for a new concession stand and storage shed in Millard Deuth Westside Park. The second was for a recently completed mural at Louise A. Quick Park.

Kane County has a variety of family-friendly events to do before school begins, such as painting at Color Me Mine, visiting Primrose Farm and more.

The Joliet Park District on Thursday plans to reopen the front nine holes of the Inwood Golf Course and four of the baseball fields at the Inwood Athletic Complex following this week's storms.

This second restaurant is called Cemenos at the Park and is located at 3000 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet.

Playing at Pottawatomie means players of all ages benefit from the fresh air and picturesque surroundings while also improving their health.