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Recreation - Play With Us

The Rock River is one of the area’s most valuable assets benefiting local residents and visitors. In fact, our local waters have some of the world’s best catfishing, which has been featured on outdoor television shows. The Rock River is also great for boating. As one can imagine, recreational activities and facilities abound on both sides of the river. Between the two communities, there are more than 30 parks, two marinas with boat launching facilities, an outdoor swimming pool on Lawrence Park Island between the cities, a skate park for thrill seekers, an extensive trail system with a hiking bridge over the Rock River and the Double G Equestrian Facility just outside city limits.

Sterling Park District's amenities include the Westwood Sports & Expo Center, which has 18 indoor basketball and volleyball courts, four indoor tennis courts, an indoor track and field facility, a fitness facility that is more than 8,000 square feet and indoor racquetball/ walleyball courts. This sports and expo center is also host to the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Whiteside County Farm Bureau’s annual December Farm Show. Combined, these facilities host more than 500 programs for the public’s enjoyment annually.

Sterling’s largest park, Sinnissippi Park, is home to a Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA)–approved Frisbee golf course as well as the Hopewellian Indian Mounds—a site on the National Register of Historic Places.

Through community support, the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA has recently built a state-of-the-art facility. This new building allows the YMCA to offer programs in aquatics, sports, youth development, fitness and wellness training along with hosting camps throughout the year.

The Coloma Township Park District in Rock Falls offers a variety of programs for all ages ranging from team sports to individual activities. Skill programs focus on physical development while recreational activities develop talents in hobbies. Individuals can also choose from one of many special, one-day events featuring unique athletic experiences.

Rock Falls Centennial Park offers visitors an opportunity to visit the Little Red School House museum and caboose, or they can discover miles of trails by hiking along the Canal Parkway, which goes from the main Canal to the Rock River. For those wanting to spend time on the water, paddleboats can also be rented.

Rock Falls is also home to Crystal Lake Park, which has one of the largest beaches in northwestern Illinois.

Regardless of whether you’re visiting Sterling or Rock Falls, one thing is certain: quality park and recreational facilities can be found on either side of the Rock River and we encourage all visitors to tour one of the many facilities before ending their journey to the Sauk Valley Area.

SAUK VALLEY AREA PARKS & RECREATION

CAMPGROUNDS
Crow Valley Campgrounds
Sterling (815) 626-5376

Leisure Lake Campground
2304 E. French, Rock Falls (815) 626-0005

Ruffit Park
Route 30, Sterling (815) 626-0221

ROCK FALLS PARKS
A.V. Sieglinger Park
9th Avenue & 22nd Street
Ball Diamonds, Pavilions, Picnic Area & Playground

Bennet Park
West Bennet Drive
Picnic Areas & Playground

Bowman Family Park
Downtown
Riverfront Fishing, Pavilions & Scenic Area

Centennial Park
Avenue D & E. 11th Street
Ball Diamonds, Canoe & Paddle Boating, Fishing, Ice-Skating, Monument, Pavilions, Picnic & Scenic Areas, Playground & Tennis Courts

Dillon Park
West 19th Street & 11th Avenue
Ball Diamonds, Picnic Area & Playground

Hennepin Canal State Trail
E. 2nd & Emmons
Beginning in Rock Falls, the trail features more than 100 miles of recreational trails, adjoining parks and opportunities for canoeing and fishing.

Kiwanis Park
W. 12th Street & 7th Avenue
Ball Diamonds, Pavilions, Picnic Area & Playground

Logan Memorial Park
E. Route 30
Picnic & Scenic Areas & Playground

Lower Dam Park
Downtown Riverfront
Boat Ramp & Fishing

Nims Park
E. 3rd Street & Avenue E
Ball Diamonds, Basketball Court, Pavilions, Picnic Area & Playground

Optimist Park
14th Avenue & Prophet Road
Ball Diamonds, Picnic Area & Playground

Rotary Park
E. Minkle Road
Ball Diamonds, Pavilions, Picnic Area & Playground

Seward-Riverside Park
E. 2nd Street & Avenue C
Fishing, Picnic & Scenic Areas & Playground

Veteran’s Memorial Park
W. 5th Street & Galt Avenue
Bandshell & Monument

Wallingford Park
E. 8th Street & Avenue C
Ball Diamonds, Basketball Courts, Pavilions, Picnic Areas & Playground

STERLING PARKS

Douglas Park
Chestnut Avenue & Lynn Boulevard
Basketball Court & Playground

Duis Recreation Center
211 E. St. Mary’s Road
Ball Diamond, Basketball & Volleyball Courts & Swimming Pool

Eberley Park
Douglas Drive & West LeFevre Road
Cross-Country Skiing & Walking Course

Emerald Hill Golf Center
16802 Prairieville Road
Cross-Country Skiing & Golf Course

Gartner Park
West LeFevre Road
Ball Diamond

Harry Kidd Field
1219 W. 7th Street
Football Field

Hoover Park
3807 Woodlawn Road
Cross-Country Skiing, Picnic Area & Playground

Kilgour Park
400 W. 15th Street
Basketball & Tennis Courts, Picnic Area & Playground (Imagination Station)

Lawrence Park
Avenue G Island
Boat Launch, Fishing, Horseshoe Courts, Picnic Area, Playground, Shelters & Swimming

Oppold Marina
Stouffer Road
Boat Launch, Boat Slip Rental, Fishing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ice-Skating, Picnic Area & Playground

Propheter Park
506 E. 6th Street
Basketball Court, Lincoln Statue & Playground

Scheid Park
Woodburn Avenue & W. 11th Street
Ball Diamond, Basketball Court, Playground, Shelters & Soccer Field

Sinnissippi Park
Sinnissippi Road
Ball Diamond, Cross-Country Skiing, Fishing, PDGA Frisbee Golf, Historical Site, Picnic Area, Playground, Shelters & Sledding

Thomas Park
2301 12th Avenue
Ball Diamond, Basketball & Tennis Courts, Ice-Skating, Picnic Area, Playground & Shelters

Westwood Sports Center
West LeFevre Road
Ball Diamond; Basketball, Racquetball, Tennis, Volleyball & Walleyball Courts; Batting Cages; Cardiovascular Area; Cross-Country Skiing & Track