The city of Yorkville took a moment to show appreciation to the Yorkville American Legion and the Knights of Columbus for the volunteering work both organizations do throughout the community.

Village of Bourbonnais officials will host an interactive workshop Thursday, Feb. 19 for the final round of public input for the development of the Riverfront Park Master Plan.

The Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department was recognized by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association for its installation of Rotary Park, a groundbreaking “inclusive playground.”

“Pallets in the Park” invites residents to explore creative reuse by transforming reclaimed wooden pallets into unique works of art. The Dixon Park District provides the pallets, and the community provides the imagination.

Manteno Board voted against paying for installation of turf on the Square on Second

Frozen waterfalls have not formed this year at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. Despite colder-than-average temperatures this winter, a lack of precipitation rendered the ice climbing season virtually nonexistent.

The Yorkville Public Library, Yorkville School District 115, and the Yorkville Education Foundation are running a raffle for readers who are willing to take stroll. Here's how to enter and what you can win.

Park District, was honored with the Robert Artz Lifetime Achievement Award by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) during the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference

The W.D. Boyce Council Lowaneu District held a Lowaneu Cub Scout Yukon on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Hall Township Echo Bluff Park in Spring Valley. Over 50 Cub Scouts from packs as far as Mackinaw attended the event. Scouts participated in crafts, cooking, cold first aid, slingshots, sledding and more. A Cub Scout Yukon is a Scouting America winter-themed, outdoor adventure event where scouts engage in cold-weather activities.

The Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of approximately 0.82 acres to expand Grant Woods Forest Preserve in Ingleside.

The Crystal Lake Park District board will continue receiving legal services from a former board president after an effort to look for another attorney failed to gain enough votes.

The Village of Minooka announced Thursday that it has received a $600,000 grant for the development of Lions Park.

Princeton High School sports teams could be playing future games in a fieldhouse. In December, the Princeton City Council amended its zoning ordinances to accommodate a proposed fieldhouse for the Princeton School District. The project is in the beginning stages. The school district is considering purchasing 15 acres north of Liberty Village for a 50,000 to 80,000 square foot indoor sports complex. The facility would also include parking. The fieldhouse concept would serve both youth and high school teams. The site is located behind the Princeton High School softball field, known as Little Siberia.

Take a look from above of the newly proposed sports complex behind John F. Kennedy School on the north side of town. Earlier this month, Gov. JB Pritzker announced a$245,000 grant funding through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to pave the way for a future sports complex in Spring Valley.

The Oregon Park District will begin its 60th anniversary celebration with the launch of a special Green Coffee Series on Jan. 15.

Launch snowballs, test a blubber glove in icy water, explore the northern lights and warm up with hot chocolate at the Illinois State Museum.

Yorkville City Council approves nearly half-a-million worth of new furniture for the 150,6000 sq. ft facility

Memberships are available for a variety of household situations, and can be purchased monthly or annually.

Wagon rides were offered Friday, Dec. 19, through the Holiday Lights Display in Rock Falls.

Visitors were treated to wagon rides through the lighted display in Rock Falls' Centennial Park on Friday, Dec. 19.

The city is developing an expanding special events staff, but director was not consulted about future of Taste of Joliet.

The biggest summer event in Joliet has been called off for 2026. The Joliet Park District plans to replace it with a downsized event in 2027, and it may not be in the summer.

Heightened security and metal detectors will be removed from Crystal Lake park board meetings starting in January after a divided board voted to scale back the measures.

In baseball you get three strikes. With lightning it only takes one to cause harm and that is why the city of Yorkville is improving safety near the city’s ballparks.

Experience the magic of the season with a cozy carriage ride through the Celebration of Lights in La Salle. Carriage rides are offered in November and December at Rotary Park. The last ride is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11. Prices are $25 per person or $200 for the entire wagon up to a dozen people. The carriage rides are organized by the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce. For more information visit https://www.ivaced.org/carriage-rides.

While winter weather can bring headaches for commuters, for kids across Yorkville snow means it’s time to head to the nearest sledding hill.

The concrete pathways have been poured and completed at Baker Lake in Peru, but they will not be plowed this winter in order for the concrete to properly cure. Plowing the walkways too soon and applying salt could cause cracking and divots to the surface. Construction work began in early October and the park remains closed to the public.

Those attending the village’s sixth annual Rockin’ Around the Tree Lighting on Thursday, can skate free by donating to the Shop with a Cop program benefiting local children.

Coloma Township Park District has a lot to celebrate this year: A century of history in its green spaces and places, people passionate about supporting parks, a Village with lots of stories to tell, and much more … including a big fiberglass chicken.

The ponds at Willowhaven and Diamond Point Parks in Bourbonnais Township will be getting some much needed dredging.

Sharpen those skates. The Schweickert Arena ice rink is set to open the weekend of Dec. 6. at Washington Park in Peru. With the newly installed chiller system, the ice rink is expected to stay open until the end of February 2026. 

The Will County Forest Preserve District has announced the acquisition of 40 new acres of land along the DuPage River in Plainfield.

Rochelle’s new pocket park at 517 W. Fourth Ave. includes a concrete path, brick, native plants, space for seating and food vendors, light poles and cafe lights. A custom bench will run along a concrete ledge.

Born with a rare genetic disorder characterized by muscle stiffness and bone abnormalities, Bedford Erickson, nearly 3, has been selected for the new "Together We Play" initiative.

The Downers Grove Park District is renovating three parks including significant work at McCollum Park

La Salle's Celebration of Lights runs from early November through New Year's Day at Rotary Park. The free drive-through display is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Donations are welcome. With over 400 unique and original displays, the Celebration of Lights at Rotary Park is one of the biggest and brightest Christmas light celebrations in North Central Illinois.

Crews with Gillian Construction repair the walking path around Baker Lake on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Peru. The walking path is nearly half-poured. It's been one month since construction began. The work includes a 10-foot-wide concrete path, with secondary concrete paths also added, connecting the new parking lot near Lighted Way to the parking lot, playground, and shelter on the west side of Baker Lake. The new path will be wider by 2 feet than the current one. The park remains closed to the public. The project will be completed in early December.

Large, fast-moving trains from Chicago to the West Coast zoom through Rochelle. It's where two important lines cross at a diamond, and where train enthusiasts cross paths at a park to enjoy seeing what each engine and car brings to their eyes.

Northern Will County Special Recreation Association partners with the Bolingbrook, Lockport, Plainfield and Romeoville park districts. Its office is located at 10 Montrose Drive in Romeoville.

In May, the Oswegoland Park District announced it had acquired the long-vacant Esporta Fitness center at 201 Ogden Falls Boulevard along Route 34 in Oswego.

The Glen Ellyn Park District invites you to Village Green Park, 130 S. Lambert Road, on from 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 8 for a unique and eco-friendly event—the pumpkin smash.

The meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hartman Recreation Center will include discussion of future uses for the Joliet Correctional Center property.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources invites interested vendors to attend a mandatory pre-bid meeting for operating a concession and camp store at Lowden State Park in Ogle County.

The annual Oktoberfest celebration took place on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Rotary Park in Princeton. The event featured German music from the Heidelberg German Band, food trucks, sausage toss competition, stein holding competition, lederhosen bike ride and more.

Downers Grove will host several family-friendly Halloween events to celebrate the season.

The vision of reimagining Riverfront Park in Bourbonnais came a bit more into focus last week.

The much-anticipated Yorkville Parks and Recreation App “My YPRD” has officially launched, designed to ease registering for programs and leagues online.

Crews from Build LLC Custom Playgrounds construct a ninja obstacle course located south of the splash pad on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Washington Park in Peru. The city will also be installing ice rink chillers soon for the upcoming winter season.

The finishing touches were put on Prestwick Park Playground in Yorkville thanks to some extra helping hands.

You won’t want to miss the Waa Kee Sha History Hike set for Saturday, Oct. 11, starting at 10 a.m. at the park, 4700 Reservation Road, Oswego.