Mt. St. Mary Park

	Prairie Street, east of Route 31
	Virtual Tour: click here

Open Dawn to Dusk

Restrooms Unlocked at 7am

Quick Clicks

Sculpture in the Park
Skate Park
Picnic Pavilion Rentals

Fast Facts

Park Type: Community Park
Acreage: 30.2
Park/Facility Code: MSMP
Restrooms: Flushable
Trails: 1.69 miles

Regional Trail Access to the Fox River Trail.

Have you heard of the nationally-trending ‘park prescription’ programs?

Doctors are prescribing a dose of nature and a walk in the park to better one’s health. Walking can help maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your bones and muscles, increase your flexibility, and lower your blood pressure/cholesterol, to name a few. Walking also eases stress, helps you sleep better and can improve your mental well-being. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes. Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. For a trail map: click here

Activities

• Basketball – Open Play/Free Use*
• Bird Watching
• Boating – Designated access site along Fabulous Fox River Water Trail as registered with National Park Service
• Fishing – Open Play/Free Use*
  State fishing licensing and regulations apply in all Park District waterways.
• Tennis – Open Play/Free Use*

*Available on a first come, first served basis. Park District programs and rentals have priority for use. This amenity is not to be used for organized team practice or play.

Amenities

• Accessible Swing
• Arboretum (Outdoor) – ArbNet Level II Accreditation
• Boat Launch (Paddlesports)
• Court – Basketball
• Court – Tennis
• Landscaped Plaza
• Parking – Lot
• Picnic Tables
• Playground
• Rentals – Pavilion
• River/Creek/Open Water Access
• Sculpture
• Seating – Bench (Metal)
• Shelter
• Skate Park
• Trails – Paved
• Trails – Regional Access
• Trails – Walking Loop

Arboretum Honored

This park enjoys Level II accreditation from ArbNet, an interactive, collaborative, international community of arboreta and tree-focused professionals. The Morton Arboretum in Lisle is the organization behind ArbNet, which supports tree-focused gardens around the world as they work toward their institutional goals. Level II accreditation requires that a number of standards are met. Among them are a comprehensive plan for the space, labeled trees and woody plants, support from staff and a policy for the space’s living collections. To achieve level II—four levels exist in total—the arboretum must also have a minimum of one hundred species, varieties or cultivars of trees or woody plants.

Home to a variety of native oak and hickory species and adjacent Fox River, many water-loving species tend to thrive in this area. These include bald cypress, river birch and swamp oak. Some of the most mature trees are well over 100 years old, and are among the most eye-catching at the 30-acre park. The impressive display of fall color is due to the diversity of trees throughout the space, and the park’s ornamental flowering trees are an especially welcome sight during the spring season. Additional highlights are landscape beds filled with a carefully curated selection of perennials and annuals.

Mt. St. Mary Park is the only accredited arboretum in the Tri-Cities, and more than one mile of trails give visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s exceptional tree and plant life for themselves.

History

Established: 1967
Acquired: 1971

In 1971, Mt. St. Mary Park was purchased from the Sisters of St. Dominic. The park was officially dedicated in 1984.