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

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

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.

The Park Service’s contingency plan allows parks to enter into agreements with states, Native American tribes, local governments or other groups willing to donate to keep the sites open.

People use the new Crystal Lake Parks District's Lakewood Meadows Park on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. The park features an accessible loop trail, open green space, six pickleball courts, basketball court, splash pad, playground a large picnic shelter and grill, game tables, an outdoor classroom, pollinator garden and a council ring.

City parks department says its making it safer for walkers,and may agree to full habitat restoration near Caledonia Park.

The new DuPage Park in Channahon was funded by an $185,000 grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Interim Park District Director

Candidates must have at least 15 years of leadership experience in a major park and recreation agency or serve as a respected educator in the field. They must also demonstrate exceptional service through writing, speaking, and leadership.

Joliet residents had their say on housing, parks, jobs and other issues in the first of three workshops on a comprehensive plan for the city.

The Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District Board of Commissioners heard an update Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, from Executive Director Jackee Ohlinger on plans to apply for an Open Space Lands Acquisition Development grant for a project at Tilton Park.

The Princeton Chamber of Commerce, Princeton Park District, friends and community members cut the ribbon on a new playground on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at Zearing Park in Princeton. The 7,000 square-foot playground features sensory panels, an in-ground merry-go-round with back support, slides, swings, health development and creative play. Half of the project was paid for by an OSLAD grant and the other half was purchased by the Princeton Park District. No tax dollars were used for the project.

McHenry hopes to get state grant funding for Cold Springs Park, mostly left fallow since it was donated to the city in 1994.

The Estival Festival returns for its 5th annual event on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Bird Park’s Don Palzer Band Shell in Kankakee featuring over 25 local musical acts across two stages.

The City of Morris held a public meeting Wednesday night outlining what their application for a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition Development grant will look like.

The Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District presented a concept plan for improvements at Tilton Park at a public meeting Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.

Get ready for a fun-packed fall with the Glen Ellyn Park District’s lineup of events this late September and October

The first of two fundraisers for Together for Taft was held at Lowden State Park on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Fest by the Nest included kids activities and live music. The group is also hosting a 5K and one mile run/walk Sunday, Oct. 5.

Pool 13, the portion of the mighty Mississippi River between a pair of dams in northwest Illinois, is chock full of wildlife on the ground and in the air, enjoyable by river travelers from the banks and on the boats, from Bellevue to Fulton.

The Glen Ellyn Park District will hold the Lake Ellyn One-Mile Classic and Kids Dash will begin at 8 a.m. Sept. 14, at Lake Ellyn Park

Crystal Lake Main Beach is closed for swimming Sunday because of elevated bacteria levels.

Endangered leafy prairie clover was found for first the time since 1873 by volunteer conservationist Karen Horn on Langham Island, located near the Kankakee River State Park. The island is also the only known home to the Kankakee mallow flower.

Endangered leafy prairie clover was recently found by volunteer Karen Horn on Langham Island near the Kankakee River State Park after not being seen since 1873.

The Huntley Park District is set to buy land – that the village is selling – to build a new park.

A new Crystal Lake park board majority wants to end the so-called "lake wars" – but with lakefront residents now dominating the board, some critics question whose interests they're looking out for.

The Glen Ellyn Park District presents a variety of events for September

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,