The Fox Valley Park District was founded in 1947 and devoted its early years to acquiring land and improving the Fox River shoreline. Today, the District’s services are an integral part of the Fox Valley area’s ”lifestyle experience” for its 170,000 residents. The District strives to develop new parks, revitalize existing parks and offer recreation programs to appeal to its diverse population. Its boundaries encompass 22 miles of shoreline, large stretches of Waubonsee and Blackberry creeks, and 50 square miles of land. Last year, the Fox Valley Park District offered over 900 different recreation programs. The Park District maintains over 135 beautifully planned parks and has developed a network of almost 30 miles of premier trails including the Fox River Trail, the V.L. Gilman Nature Trail and the Aurora Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path. Park District facilities include Blackberry Farm’s Pioneer Village, Red Oak Nature Center, an indoor tennis facility, Eola Community Center, Prisco Community Center, Fox Bend Golf Course, Orchard Valley Golf Course, Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center, and Splash Country Water Park. A successful referendum in 2002 allowed the District to sell bonds to finance a new athletic center as well as additions to Eola and Prisco community centers. The addition to Prisco was recently completed and added a 9,000 square foot dividable multipurpose room with a stage, a new dance room, and new classrooms. The addition to Eola is expected to be complete in the spring of ’04 and will add multipurpose classroom space, expand the fitness center, and add to the dance and gymnastics areas. Ground will be broken for the Valley Athletic Center before winter, with an expected completion date of 2005. The District’s 2400 acres of open space, variety of facilities, tax base, and population served combine to make it the second largest Park District in Illinois. Current information about the Fox Valley Park District can be found on its award winning web site, which includes all information from the current activity guide, a facility directory, a parks and trails directory, and general information. Bill Donnell, president of the FREP, serves as Superintendent of Parks for Fox Valley Park District. Contact him if you would like to learn more about Fox Valley Park District and its programs and facilities.

Fox Valley Park District 712 S. River Street Aurora, IL 60507 (630) 897-0516 Website: www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org

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