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Recreation in Itasca

Itasca has a variety of opportunities when it comes to places to go for recreational activities. Two great examples with a lot to offer are the Itasca Park District and the Spring Brook Nature Center.

The Itasca Park District maintains four facilities and eight parks, as well as providing programming in some area schools. The classes that are offered range from dance or gymnastics classes for children to golf or fencing lessons for adults. There are also a variety of activities for seniors including crafts, darts and cards. The park district also hosts various leagues, such as softball and basketball for adults, and a soccer league for children.

Special programming is also a part of the lineup for the park district and they hold many different events each year—often around particular holidays. Families can sign up to have Santa pay a visit to their home in December or participate in the Memorial Day Parade in May. Also offered is a summer camp, which includes field trips and time spent at the water park.

According to Beth Rodriguez, public relations supervisor for the park district, the Itasca Waterpark re-opened on June 9; the 35 year-old main pool replaced by a larger one. Some of the improvements added included a zero-depth entry, “bubbler bench” and an 8-lane attached pool.

Also renovated this summer was the Franzen “Play-For-All” Park. Some highlights include a new and completely ADA accessible park, baseball field upgrades and a new soccer field. A shelter was constructed and a quarter-mile walking path was added to the park as well.

Located just a short distance away from the Itasca Park District is Spring Brook Nature Center, where a huge variety of programs, day camps and festivals take place throughout the year. The center has been around since 1980, and it includes three walking trails, an aviary and a picnic shelter with its own campfire ring. It is open year-round from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and is closed on Sundays, Mondays and holidays. The grounds are open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset and are a popular “oasis” in the area. Director Fred Maier says, “People come to visit the grounds to walk our two miles of trails, explore our woods, marshes, prairies, streams and arboretum and to view some of the live animals we have on display.”

Children can sign up for things such as the “Big Bug, Little Bug Series” or the “Wildland Explorers Adventure Camp.” Other fun activity options include birthday party packages, where groups can choose from themes such as nature crafts or a scavenger hunt. A variety of classes are also taught at the center on subjects ranging from snowshoeing to hiking and bird watching.

Each year, the programs that reach the widest audience center on various birds of prey. Maier mentions, “These programs all feature live raptors, or birds-of-prey, and are offered as on-site and off-site programs.” For tamer fare, there are also one-hour creek, prairie and woods walks, where children from kindergarten to sixth grade can sign up to learn more about the outdoors.

The recreation opportunities in Itasca range from educational to just plain fun, and there are plenty of things to see and do in the area. Whether signing up for a class at the Itasca Park District or planning a party at Spring Brook Nature Center, there is something for all ages to enjoy. For more information on classes for all ages, parks, facilities and special events at the Itasca Park District, visit their website at www.itascaparkdistrict.com or call 630-773-2257. Check out Spring Brook online at www.itascanaturecenter.com, or ask about the benefits of being a volunteer by calling 630-773-5572.