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Batavia Parks and Recreation

Recreational opportunities abound throughout the Fox River Valley. The Batavia Park District is a strong and vibrant entity continuously creating programs and activities the whole family can enjoy. Spanning over 300 acres and encompassing 30 parks, the Park District proudly serves the entire community.

The Batavia Park District provides over 1,000 recreational programs and services annually! These programs include sports activities and leagues, fitness programs, art, music, special events and day-escape excursions for seniors and families. This adds up to over 2,300 individual sessions of programs conducted throughout the year.

The Batavia parks offer a full range of recreation equipment, including playgrounds and tot lots, basketball and tennis courts, picnic tables and pavilions, softball and soccer fields, jogging and bike trails, ice rink and cross-country ski trails, and swimming and fishing.

Hall Quarry Beach is the city’s primary swimming facility. Formerly a stone quarry, the beach was renovated and currently features a sand bottom swimming area that covers 60,000 square feet with concrete “islands,” slides and a diving area. Plenty of picnic tables and a playground provide respite from the water.

Clark Island Park is located at the center of the city. Connected by a pedestrian suspension bridge, the islands are the site for Batavia MainStreet’s popular Shakespeare on Clark. Boating enthusiasts will find launching facilities at Laurelwood Park, providing convenient access to the Fox River. Nelson Lake Preserve encourages visitors to revel in the beauty of bogs and marshlands.

Shannon Hall, at the Eastside Community Center, provides programs for active teens as well as older adults. Drop in for a game of billiards or cards, make crafts or simply spend an afternoon chatting with friends. Shannon Hall is also an ideal location for weddings, special events and community gatherings.

The Park District, along with the Batavia Chamber, also presents and sponsors events and festivals that draw crowds from throughout the Tri-Cities area. Included among these are the Windmill City Festival, Celebration of Lights Festival, Batavia Street Musicians, and Pancake Breakfast for Champions. For thousands of people, the Windmill City Festival has become a reunion for family and friends.

Kids Club is a collaborative effort between the Batavia Park District and the Batavia School District. Working together, Kids Club was created to offer parents peace of mind. This innovative club offers before and after school care for district students. The program incorporates a variety of activities to entertain and educate the children in its care.

For a lesson in history, take a trip to the city’s Depot Museum. The Park District works in conjunction with the Batavia Historical Society to run and maintain this unique local attraction. Step back in time to 1854 at the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad passenger depot. Steeped in history, the museum showcases the history of rail transportation, windmill manufacturing, agriculture, commerce, education and the brief stay of Mary Todd Lincoln (President Abraham Lincoln’s wife) at Bellevue Place. More than 70 volunteers work together to operate the museum.

The Riverwalk is a “jewel” within the Batavia Park District. Located on a 12-acre peninsula adjacent to the Depot Museum complex, the Riverwalk is surrounded on both sides by water. It was created over a 10-year period through the cooperative efforts of the Park District, the City of Batavia and a dedicated group of community members – primarily using volunteer labor and donated material and services.

Residents with disabilities have many opportunities to participate in various activities through the Park District and the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (F.V.S.R.A.). Recreation and leisure activities are available through F.V.S.R.A. in a cooperative effort of the Batavia, St. Charles, Geneva and Fox Valley Park Districts.

The Park District is proud of its web site where residents can find information on and register for programs and special events. For more information visit the Park District on the World Wide Web at www.bataviaparks.org.