Blackberry Farm, the Fox Valley Park District’s living history museum, is set to reawaken this year, after the entirety of the 2020 season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Season passes are available at early-bird rates through May 14. A resident season pass for a family of four costs
Becky Dunnigan, Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry community outreach and program coordinator, directs traffic at a drive-thru food distribution Saturday, Feb. 20, at Simmons Park in Aurora.
Planning an outdoor family reunion, birthday party, baby shower or other special event this Summer? Shelter reservations at the Fox Valley Park District will open at 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1. District officials encourage residents to reserve their choice of 17 shelters online, including the popular Cool Acres layout. On
Debbie Smith began her career as a preschool teacher to put her double-major in education to efficient use. So, here’s a pop quiz in math: Question: What’s the difference between December 31, 2020 and August 21, 1987? Answer: 12,187 days. And despite weekends, holidays and vacations sprinkled throughout, not one
The Fox Valley Park District has been honored as an Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA). The two Statewide associations administer the Illinois Distinguished Accreditation program with the goal of improving the delivery of park and
A self-described “gym rat all my life,” Harry Koth never had dabbled in the sport of boxing. Hadn’t worked the speed bag, hadn’t tweaked his footwork, hadn’t thrown an uppercut. It wasn’t until a difficult diagnosis, then a revelation in a newsletter, along with the advocacy of actor Michael J.
The Fox Valley Park District announced September 15 that it has received a “Best of the Best” award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts in the category of Best Green Practices. The District will be recognized at the Best of the Best Awards Gala, which will be held virtually
Bernard Cigrand moved to the Fox Valley in 1913. He was 47 at the time, a prominent dentist who relocated his successful practice to Aurora in 1920 from Batavia. Dr. Cigrand died in 1932, before figuratively returning to the Fox Valley area 70 years later, the Fox Valley Park District’s
Jim Oberweis stood on the new, 2,000-square-foot plaza outside of The Barn at Blackberry Farm and surveyed the new amenities. The Illinois 25th District senator, who sponsored the $50,000 grant awarded to the Fox Valley Park District (FVPD) through the State’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities (DCEO), echoed the
In the spirit of the community’s health, safety and well-being, our top priority, the Fox Valley Park District (FVPD) made the difficult decision to close Splash Country Water Park and Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center for the entirety of the 2020 season. All passes purchased will be automatically refunded to
In the spirit of delivering programs and activities to its residents, the Fox Valley Park District (FVPD) remains committed to offering recreational opportunities in a virtual capacity during disruptions caused by the pandemic. Shortly after the State’s stay-at-home order, FVPD staff members unveiled a variety of online activities, which are
Call it planting with a purpose. In observation and celebration of Earth Day, April 22, and Arbor Day, April 24, the Fox Valley Park District (FVPD) last week planted four young trees at three of its parks, Blackhawk, Lincoln, and Waubonsie Lake (see photo on page 1).. With each shovel
In response to governor JB Pritzker’s executive order issued April 23 to extend the statewide stay at home order through May 30, all Fox Valley Park District (FVPD) facilities, playgrounds, parks, athletic fields, courts, and park restrooms across the community are closed to the public through May 30. This extension
The Fox Valley Park District (FVPD) continues to monitor the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, and adhere to recommendations set forth by local, State, and federal lawmakers, and health experts. As a result, FVPD officials have been forced to cancel several upcoming programs and events, including the Mid-American Canoe & Kayak Race,
The health and safety of the patrons and staff members of the Fox Valley Park District is of utmost importance. As we navigate challenging, evolving conditions, please know that we are using the most recent guidance from Federal, State, and County health agencies. We have decided to implement the following
Although there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in our District, the Fox Valley Park District Board of Commissioners and Leadership Team is taking preventive measures to provide the safest conditions for guests and staff members. We continue to collaborate with community and regional health agencies to determine the best
The Fox Valley Park District (FVPD) will hold its annual job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Avenue. FVPD officials will seek to fill between 250 and 300 vacancies, the majority of which are seasonal positions, though there
The Fox Valley Park District’s Winter Stage production of Tarzan will be performed at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Avenue, in Aurora. Show times will be 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31; 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. Tickets are $10 in advance, or
The Fox Valley Park District resumes its partnership with six schools throughout Aurora and North Aurora to offer its traditionally-popular Sports Saturdays program. Free to resident families with children in grades first through fifth, Sports Saturdays provide a supervised environment for children to interact in activities that include sports, crafts,
The Fox Valley Park District announced that it has received a “Best of the Best” award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts. The FVPD captured the honor in the category of Arts in the Park – an award that recognizes agencies (park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation, and special
