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Painted turtles in Chatfield Reservoir State Park Littleton Colorado

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

Cupcake Play Day Celebrates Hickory Knolls 10th Anniversary

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, the St. Charles Park District will host Cupcake Play Day from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday July 31. The afternoon will include visits with a live red-tailed hawk and other nature-themed fun. During this event, the first 200 guests will receive a cupcake. Guests can

Explore Nature with Family, Fun Activities

Fireflies twinkling on a warm summer evening is a familiar sight. But most people may not know the science behind their nocturnal glow. During a new program this summer Hickory Knolls naturalists will teach all members of the family about these fireflies, or lightning bugs, at several neighborhood parks. Held at 7:30 p.m. on July

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,

Let’s Play (Soft)ball!

Need an excuse to exercise? To (re)connect with friends? To destress? Check off all the boxes by signing up for the St. Charles Park District softball league. Spring registration is now open. New this year is a men’s 12-inch softball league for ages 30 and older on Friday nights, and co-ed 12-inch leagues on Monday

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 Board Appoints New Commissioner To Fill Empty Seat

St. Charles Park District recently accepted a resignation from Commissioner Mike Hoscheit, who had served on the board three years, resulting in a vacancy on the Park Board. Commissioners received and reviewed applications from four well-qualified candidates. Longtime St. Charles resident Steven Ward was elected to fill the vacant seat. Mr. Ward was sworn in

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

Controlled Burns: A Complex Process

Burn Season Depends on Various Conditions The fall season is also prescription burn season in the St. Charles Park District’s natural areas, but that doesn’t mean burning will actually take place as planned. Conducting a controlled burn in any of the park district’s 415-plus acres of natural areas is a complex process and dependent on

Park District Provides Variety of Adult-Only Programming and Recreation

Need a night out? How about an afternoon out? Whether you have one hour or six, make time for yourself and take advantage of the many special events, fitness programs and sports for adults-only offered through the St. Charles Park District this fall. “In these unprecedented times, it’s so important for adults to carve out

Riverboat Cruises Offer Waterway Escape

As the heat and noise of a summer day gives way to evening the shoreline along the Fox River in St. Charles becomes a popular spot for wildlife to emerge with deer drinking from the water’s edge or birds swooping in for a dinner of insects or fish. “The riverboat moves at a slower pace

Sportsplex Offers Multiple Soccer Options for All Ages

Now more than ever, children and adults need an outlet to recharge their physical, social and emotional health. Finding a hobby, sport or regular activity can refuel the mind and body, and Sportsplex is here to help by continuing to offer soccer leagues and skills training this fall. From preschoolers to adults, the St. Charles

Recreation for All

Inclusive programs give individuals with special needs opportunity for success As a founding member of the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, the St. Charles Park District has offered inclusive opportunities for residents with special needs since 1976. This partnership with FVSRA allows individuals – from children to adults — with special needs to participate in

NEW Communication System for Participants

Receive news about last minute closures or programming changes from the St. Charles Park District on your smart phone. This summer the St. Charles Park District teamed up with the free app Rainout Line, available for Apple and Android phones. Download the free app and subscribe to the St. Charles Park District notifications to stay

Partnership with Horse Farms Allows Unique Program Opportunities

If there’s someone you know who is dreaming about learning to ride a horse the St. Charles Park District can put you in the saddle and fulfill those wishes. For more than 20 years the St. Charles Park District has partnered with local horse farms to offer classes for beginners of all ages. The strong

Park District ‘Saves the Green’ at Pottawatomie Golf Course

A recent shoreline stabilization project at the Pottawatomie Golf Course has preserved and saved the picturesque island green that draws so many to the historic 9-hole course. Work began in February 2020 to build a 218-foot timber wall to stabilize the east side of the island green that had been eroding into the river for

‘Sculptures in the Park’ Enhances Cultural Experience

This summer explore the outdoor art gallery that is Mt. St. Mary Park. Take a stroll along the winding path to witness the artistic diversity of the latest installment of sculptures in the annual Sculptures in the Park exhibit in St. Charles. Sculpture in the Park remains a success attracting artists near and far, enhancing

Spend a Morning with your Mutt Among Friends

Whether you added a new four-legged friend to your family in the last few months or you’ve had canine companions for years, there’s no better time to treat them and yourselves to some exercise and a chance to mingle with other pet owners. Join the St. Charles Park District’s new Morning with your Mutt on

Primrose Farm Gives Families Virtual Egg Incubation Experience

A favorite activity for many children in kindergarten is watching tiny chicks hatch from eggs right in their own classroom. And even though coronavirus has made that impossible this year, students and families can experience egg incubation virtually through Primrose Farm. By visiting the farm’s e-learning page, little ones and adults alike will delight in

Little girls doing yoga on mats in a park

Both Virtual and Outdoor Fitness Classes Offered

Discover the physical and mental benefits of fitness whether you’re working out at home or in a small setting outside in the fresh air. A Virtual Family Yoga series, available to parents, grandparents, caregivers and kids of all ages, offers an opportunity to connect through fun activities, teamwork exercises and breathing techniques. It’s a great

Native Plant Demonstration Garden Inspires Residents

Looking for creative inspiration for your backyard garden? Ponder the possibilities as you stroll through the Native Plant Demonstration Garden on the west side of the Pottawatomie Community Center. Featuring native trees, shrubs, wild flowers, grasses, sedges, ferns and vines, the 35,000-square-foot garden situated along the Fox River will give you plenty of ideas to

Riverboat Cruises Balance Tradition with New Experiences

Take in the beauty of the Fox Valley this summer aboard an historic paddlewheel riverboat – an iconic attraction in St. Charles for more than 75 years. This recreational activity that has spanned generations began in 1945 when the late Chet Anderson bought his first paddlewheel riverboat to charter cruises up and down the Fox

Bike St. Charles

Riders traveling over the miles of trails that wind along the banks of the Fox River have come to see Pottawatomie Park as an oasis, a serene and scenic place they can stop for clean restrooms, tasty refreshments, and shelters from sudden storms. And at the park’s Bike Plaza, they also have a place where

Magic Class Goes Beyond Learning Tricks

Is your child in awe of magic? Would they like to learn tricks to impress their family and friends? Registration is now open for magic classes taught by magician Gary Kantor offered through the St. Charles Park District. Ages 5-13 can register now for the May 14 class. Students are broken into groups and taught

Garden Plots Provide Sense of Community

Fresh tomato sauce, butternut squash soup, green peppers for stir fry, strawberry rhubarb pie – there are so many recipe possibilities when you have fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the garden. Even if that garden isn’t in your backyard. Since the 1970s residents have rented community garden plots from the St. Charles Park District.

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