Pottawatomie Golf Course has retained its designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. Denise Gillett-Parchert, Golf Course Superintendent, led the effort to maintain sanctuary status on this course. Pottawatomie Golf Course was designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 1997, the
Discover tasty treats and nature insights aboard river cruises
Enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Fox River, a delicious treat and learn about the local history and wildlife of the waterway with a pair of fantastic cruises hosted by the St. Charles Park District. The park district’s nature ambassador Pam Otto, author of the weekly Good Natured column that appears in the Kane County
New Outdoor Courts Celebrated at St. Charles Park District
St. Charles Park District recently opened six new outdoor pickleball courts and a basketball court with six hoops on the west side of James O. Breen Community Park. The Park Board of Commissioners hosted a ribbon cutting celebration on June 14, 2021. Local pickleball players are pumped. “We are really, really excited,” said Cris Anderson,
Visit the new playground in Pottawatomie Park
Come one, come all to the new sensory garden and all-inclusive playground in St. Charles! Located at Pottawatomie Park, this new park amenity features a host of inviting landscape features to appeal to all your senses and an array of engaging play spaces. Included in the area are native and sensory plants, a vine tunnel,
Wanted: Volunteers — Park district offers various ways to give back
Volunteers are the backbone of the St. Charles Park District, and while COVID-19 has restricted many of the special events where volunteer opportunities abound, the need for residents to continue lending a hand has not gone away. To help motivate individuals to volunteer, Volunteer Coordinator Lara Piner said the park district has recently implemented an
St. Charles couple sets out to visit every local park
Kathy and Bill Swedberg have lived in St. Charles for more than 45 years, but until a few months ago, they had never realized how many parks were located within the city. The St. Charles Park District owns and manages 1,450 acres of open space within the community, and the Swedbergs are out to visit
Make a family field trip to feed the critters
Discover what Blanding’s turtles eat for breakfast and how to prepare a meal for a bearded dragon at the St. Charles Park District’s Feed the Critters Program this winter. The program, new this year, invites visitors in small, private groups inside the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center to prepare and feed meals for the center’s animal
Park District earns award for natural land preservation
While it’s the recreation that often gets the spotlight the St. Charles Park District recently earned accolades for its conservation and care for open lands. The St. Charles Park District was awarded the Best Green Practices Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts. The award recognizes the park district’s efforts to maintain 11 natural
Telling Nature’s Story — One Zoom Call at a Time
Naturalist Pam Otto launches ‘Good Natured Hour’ variety show Pam Otto believes every organism has a story to tell. And for the past 12+ years, the St. Charles Park District’s outreach ambassador and naturalist has been telling those stories to residents: from seniors to preschoolers; to members of civic and social organizations; and to readers
Hickory Knolls Natural Area Comes Alive Through New Walk-And-Read Children’s Story

Venture out to the Hickory Knolls Natural Area this fall to experience the trails like never before. St. Charles Park District staff recently installed an original walk-and-read children’s story to educate readers about the history of the land and the many different animals that live in and around the scenic open space. Consisting of 13









