As part of Yorkville's annual Hometown Days Festival, with events running from Thursday to Sunday in Beecher Park, Friday Night belongs to the Swifties.

The investment, secured through a partnership between State Sen. Michael E. Hastings and the park district will advance the next phase of the district’s master plan.

The Park District of La Grange will host the grand opening of the newly renovated Waiola Park at 4 p.m. on Sept. 3.

Family bingo, swimming lessons, bumper bowling, walking club, pickleball and Parents’ Day Out are among the fall programs offered by the Northern Will County Special Recreation Association

With environmental issues cleared, construction work has been launched on Kankakee's East Riverwalk.

Members of the Kankakee Valley Park District board and staff officially cut the ribbon on the $1.2 million improvement project at Bird Park.

Members of the Kankakee Valley Park District board and staff officially cut the ribbon on the $1.2 million improvement project at Bird Park on Aug. 20, 2025.

The Glen Ellyn Park District will hold a public input session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Glen Ellyn Police Station, 65 S Park Blvd., regarding playground equipment at Panfish Park

A resolution to approve the purchase of a pavilion for Manteno’s Square on Second failed to gain enough trustee votes at Monday’s meeting.

For the first time ever in the FORE! Yorkville Golf Outing event fundraiser for the Yorkville Educational Foundation and the Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department, someone hit the big hole-in-one sweepstakes. The golfer wasn't the event's only winner, more than $12K raised.

The Westmont Public Library is once again hosting its annual Monarch Festival.

Upgrades at Elburn's Prairie Park, paid in part by a state grant, included the replacement of outdated playground equipment, greater accessibility, the addition of a rain garden and fitness stations, the extension of a path and fishing pond improvements. The work was completed in time for Elburn Days and the Run the Rails.

The City of Peru held a free “Movie in the Park” night on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Centennial Park in Peru. The movie “Super Mario Bro’s was shown. The event was sponsored by Jessica Strauch State Farm, La Salle-Peru Township High School Foundation, Self Storage and P&D Sign Company!

Jim Pilmer will serve as grand marshal of the Montgomery Fest Parade on Sunday, Aug. 17. He is a longtime public servant and former executive director of the Fox Valley Park District.

A group of residents concerned over recent actions by the newly elected Crystal Lake park board gathered for a rally outside Park District headquarters.

Boats will roar on the river once again as the Kankakee River Valley Regatta returns for Labor Day weekend.

In Sterling, shovels are already in the ground for big park upgrades while in Morrison, the wait for state grant money continues.

The Joliet Park District’s annual back-to-school event serves as a crucial resource for local families to help make sure students have the basic supplies needed to start the new school year.

The music festival returns for a fourth year to Joliet's Cathedral District on Saturday, Aug. 16. Walk the neighborhood while enjoying an eclectic mix of concerts performed on people's porches.

The LockRocks summer concert series at Dellwood Park will host Strung Out and Semple Band on Friday, Aug. 15.

The Sterling Park District is using $600,000 in state grant money to make improvements at Thomas Park.

Just in time for the next spell of hot temps and high humidity, Kankakee Valley Park District has some good news. The splash pad at Bird Park will open on Wednesday,

At Monday’s BTPD board Committee-of-the-Whole meeting, executive director Mike O’Shea discussed the concept of a multi-purpose pavilion to host events year-round at Perry Farm Park.

The commissioners approved a contract with LZ Design Build Group to renovate Mayor R.J. Bailey Park.

The Crystal Lake Park District Police bestowed a first-of-its-kind award to a sergeant to recognize her efforts in helping a suicidal person.

The Sterling Park District has released its fall 2025 Activity Guide, showcasing fitness programs, recreational sports, wellness services, and family-friendly events designed to engage residents of all ages.

The splash pad at Bird Park in Kankakee was supposed to be open by now. Instead, it appears to have wilted under the hot, humid conditions that have hit the area.

Ogle County residents and even livestock went to the water to try to beat the heat on Monday, July 28, 2025. Temperatures rose into the 90s and, coupled with high humidity, pushed the heat index into the 100s.

After completing $5.9 million in renovations, the Batavia Park District is inviting the community to tour the new Patrick J. Callahan Community Center during a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting event on August 9.

A portion of the much-anticipated $3 million walking path that will loop around Crystal Lake’s Three Oaks Recreation Area is ready for visitors.

The Oswegoland Park District purchased the 45,000-square-foot building for $2.55 million. Esporta Fitness closed its doors Oct. 16, 2023.

The Oswegoland Park District Board of Commissioners now plans to launch a search for a new executive director. Betsinger became the park district’s executive director in December 2023.

So far this summer, more than 18,000 people have visited the Park District’s Civic Center Aquatic Pool and Winrock Pool in Oswego.

Runners, walkers passed through a series of color stations where powdered colors created unique patterns on official race T-shirts.

The Crystal Lake Park District Board found itself in another hostile meeting that lasted nearly five hours with yelling, personal jabs and booing from the public with over 100 people in attendance.

The Oregon Park District's annual Color Run was held under sunny skies on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. About 400 people chose to run or walk through a series of colored powder stations as they traversed the hiking/bike path at Oregon Park West. The event was held prior to the park district's final Concert in the Park.

Check our these Joliet area public pools and splash pads to cool off from the intense heat headed our way beginning Wednesday.

The fun and colorful 2K Kids Color Bash Run returns to Ackerman Park from 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 9 in Glen Ellyn.

Summer camp is not only about nature and exploration. Youth campers also take first steps learning basic skills associated with a hammer and saw.

The Bourbonnais Township Park District is offering Yoga on the Prairie, a free outdoor yoga program in partnership with Limber Mind & Body Wellness Studio, on three upcoming Saturday mornings — July 19, July 26, and Aug. 2— from 8 to 9 a.m. at Perry Farm Park.

The Kankakee Valley Park District is kicking off summer in style with a free concert at the newly-renovated Don Palzer Bandshell at Bird Park in Kankakee on Wednesday, July 23 at 6 p.m.

The free summer concert series concludes Tuesday, July 22, 2025, with Burn N Bush and Color Run.

Blue Steel was the featured act at the Oregon Park District's Concert in the Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Oregon Park West. E.D. Etnyre Co. was the sponsor for the outdoor concert.

The City of Lockport has released an online survey for community members to offer feedback for the city's strategic plan.

A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines how green spaces and outdoor activites near the family residence influence functioning in early childhood.

Construction on the Northwestern Steel & Wire Park and its splash pad, part of Sterling’s $300 million Riverfront Reimagined project, are on track to be completed by the end of the month.

A large crowd of spectators kicked off the Fourth of July weekend at Bird Park on July 3 as they watched the Kankakee Municipal Band perform its annual patriotic-themed concert. The concert season continues on Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Bird Park through Aug. 7.

Playground equipment installation was underway Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Sterling's riverfront park.

Plainfield Police are investigating an overnight shooting in Settler's Park.

The Glen Ellyn Park District will host an evening of fun and adventure at its family campout at 6:30 p.m. July 11 at Maryknoll Park.