Good ‘ol Jericho Lake Park to thrive with a new look Not long ago – circa the mid-80s – the western boundaries of Aurora and Montgomery were vast swaths of open space, and not much else. “We needed to do more with the land,” Fox Valley Park District trustee J.A. Lippold said at the time, “and make more ‘people-use’ of it.” Jericho Lake Park had just been completed, with a modest sports complex alongside that featured a handful of soccer fields. But, other than weekend games, a few fishermen at the lake and occasional snowmobiles whizzing around in the winter, the area had a rural remoteness. …

Every spring, the anticipation builds. It’s a tease, really. We get those unseasonably mild days and bask in the sun’s warm glow – convinced that summer’s here – only to have those thoughts slammed shut by another cold front. But keep the shorts and swim suits handy. Summer will arrive – it always does – and, based on recent years, it’s going to be another hot one. That’s why the time is right – now – to make plans that keep you cool during the heat wave that’s sure to come. The Fox Valley Park District has just the ticket – a two-sided one at that. It’s a double-dandy season pass to two …

It was a rare sight in those days. To catch a glimpse of a Canada Goose – and hear the characteristic honking as a flock flew over in V formation – was a thrill for this young boy. It’s not quite the same feeling today. Across suburban landscapes, Canada Geese are as common as dirt, and even less popular. We don’t see them as majestic waterfowl; instead, they’re viewed as overbearing pests that are nothing more than an annoying, messy nuisance. If you’ve walked your local parks, trails, golf courses and school grounds where geese frequent, you’ve experienced the onslaught – and probably …

OK, Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butterworth – fess up. You both have terrific smiles and look great on the breakfast table next to a stack of pancakes. But yours is not real maple syrup. Real maple syrup actually comes from trees. How, you ask? Find out this Saturday (March 16) at Red Oak Nature Center, which hosts its annual MapleFest from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Red Oak Nature Center is located on Route 25, one mile north of Route 56. Children and adults alike can appreciate the centuries-old tradition of tapping maple trees and collecting sap for syrup – a practice that dates back to Native American…

Visit the Vaughan Center any day of the week, any week of the year, and you get the feeling that life is a 24/7 celebration. That’s because it is – at least for the 11,000-plus members who utilize this fantastic facility on a regular basis. Being active and enjoying exercise not only makes for a healthy body, but a sharper mind as well. Each workout is an exercise in mood elevation. Even though these folks are full of endorphins and in party mode all year, there’s always room for a little more excitement. A three-day weekend is in order. Member Appreciation Weekend will be held next Friday, …

The moment you pull that door open and enter the Vaughan Athletic Center, your world is transformed. The stress and distractions of everyday life – even your fatigue from the day – suddenly vanish, replaced by a rush of energy and adrenalin. This is a vibrant, healthy place where people feel good, a place always buzzing with activity amid three swimming pools, two running tracks, fitness machines, free weights, tennis courts and sports programs galore. Until now, all the action was confined inside this vast structure. That all changed last week with the grand opening of a beautifully designed…

We all enjoy a walk in the park, but there’s somebody who likes it even more than we could possibly imagine. OK, technically, they’re not people, but we won’t let details get in the way of the great relationships we share with our dogs. Just like their owners, dogs love the great outdoors, especially where there’s room to roam. So in 2004, the Fox Valley Park District –responding to a groundswell of input from local dog lovers – created the Lincoln Park Dog Park to provide an exclusive hangout for pooches on the near west side of Aurora (S. Harrison Avenue, just north of Prairie Street and …

They were founded during different eras, but their commonalities are many. A river not only runs between them; it binds these agencies together. In 1947, the Fox Valley Park District was created as a governing body that would preserve and protect scenic vistas along the Fox River. The vision was for all residents to enjoy this precious resource, the recreation it afforded, and the natural beauty it brought to the communities it unites. In 1972, The Conservation Foundation arrived on the scene with a mission to promote stewardship of our local environment through preservation of open space and…

You’d think that any mention of insects and bugs would send people running to the nearest screen house in search of cover. But that’s not exactly the case here. In 2010, the Fox Valley Park District unveiled a new event called Bug Fest. In the first two years, more than 2,500 visitors have swarmed this event, which spreads its wings between Red Oak Nature Center, Lippold Park and the half-mile of Fox River Trail that connects to the two facilities. Apparently, we are every bit as attracted to bugs as they are to us. The buzz is back as Bug Fest returns Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with …

Remember as a child when your parents signed you up for your first sports team or dance class with the park district? Or that art program where you would make projects that were proudly displayed on the family fridge?  Most kids have enjoyed some kind of park district program growing up, and they remain memories for life that forever bring a smile. I was that girl in ballet class who was always one step behind the beat, stomping around the dance floor while everyone else glided gracefully. And, yes, that was me – the one in art class who always had more paint on her clothes than on the paper…

Preservation. Sustainability. Conservation. These are not buzz words. They are words to live by. More than just fashionable talking points, they signify a course of action that we – all of us, together – take daily. And we take it seriously. Preserving our planet is a worldly ambition, bigger than any one individual. But every little contribution adds up in the long run. The mindset makes the mission. We take that approach at the Fox Valley Park District every day. In 2005, the FVPD created its own “Green Team” to research, study and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees to set …

“Trees are the best monuments that a man can erect to his own memory. They speak his praises without flattery, and they are blessings to children yet unborn.” – Lord Orrery As they gathered around the newly planted red oak tree, Tom Otte’s former colleagues and students shared stories and paid respects, their moments of soft laughter interspersed with occasional tears. They all agreed Blackberry Farm was one of Tom’s favorite places. While Tom wasn’t here in person on this day, he was still busy inspiring them in spirit – as he’ll continue to do for generations. Tom was a beloved figure at …

It wasn’t long ago when “Staycations” were all the rage; stay-at-home vacations that served as an affordable alternative to travelling during a time of high gas prices amid a tough economy. People quickly discovered they didn’t have to spend big bucks or drive long distances to enjoy good times with family and friends. See, there really are a lot of fun things to do right outside the front door. So the Fox Valley Park District figured you’d enjoy living life like you’re on vacation – for an entire month. In conjunction with the National Recreation and Park Association, the Park District is …

Outside the office window, the Fox River flows. Bicyclists, walkers, roller bladers and runners shadow the shoreline, flashing in the water’s reflection as they happily make their way along the trail. With this view, there’s no such thing as a bad day. A recent visit to newly renovated Waubonsie Lake Park in Aurora’s southeast quadrant reinforced that perspective. In the twilight of early evening, it was a picture of community pride. Fishermen, young couples, doting  grandparents,  Moms pushing strollers, cute little sisters sharing an ice cream cone, dad and son playing catch – and the …

Summer is great for a lot of reasons. Golf, swimming, bicycling, backyard barbecues – name your fun. To top it off, there’s nothing like a summer evening enjoying live music under the stars – especially when it’s free. Music just sounds better outdoors. There’s a festival effect to the experience – you can actually feel the music amid the fresh air and warm breezes. If that sounds like your kind of fun, the Fox Valley Park District is going to make your summer. During the next seven weeks, the Park District and presenting sponsor BMO Harris Bank will stage six free Concerts in the Park at …

In so many ways, sports are a microcosm of life. Competition in the athletic arena develops a drive to succeed. It compels us to be our best, and always strive to be better. Winning teaches us how to be gracious, while dealing with defeat and disappointment is a poignant lesson in learning how to overcome adversity. The First Tee of Aurora & Fox River Valley uses the sport of golf to impart life’s lessons. Since the mid-1990s, the Fox Valley Park Foundation has partnered with The First Tee to help build a better tomorrow for the next generation. Those efforts will continue in earnest June 25 …

As most kids have figured out, there is an ingenious way to toe the line while still adhering to the “no running” policy at swimming pools and water parks. It’s called “fast walking,” similar to that funky fitness strut that’s so popular on sidewalks and trails. That’s certainly how folks prefer to get around at Splash Country Water Park and Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center as they hurriedly scamper up the slides for another exciting swoosh into the pools below. Yes, the anticipation and adrenalin are pumping. Both water parks open at noon this Saturday, and there’s plenty to be excited …

I still remember when, at age 7, Dad had that talk with me. (No, not that one.) “Jeff, you’re going to camp this summer.” I figured we were heading to the woods with our tents and sleeping bags. Little did I know that meant attending an actual camp where I would learn, explore and discover exciting new worlds. Those turned out to be some of the best childhood experiences ever, memories we still talk about with old friends and young camp-goers who are about to embark on a similar adventure in their life. So it’s exciting to see all the camps being offered this summer by the Fox Valley Park …

Let’s be honest here, guys. Flowers really do have a captivating effect, not just on your wife or girlfriend or daughter, but on you as well. A real man can appreciate flowers as more than just a delivery obligation on Valentine’s Day. Flowers are delicate but dazzling, their spectacular color a beauty to behold. Women have known this forever, as we men have clumsily discovered. Spring is blooming into full blossom right now, and vibrant waves of color are splashed everywhere, from summer clothing to beach towels and soon, local produce. The Fox Valley Park District adds to this yearly …

The Fox River has provided me a lifetime of recreation—four decades worth that started with boyhood fishing adventures and has evolved into bird-watching kayak trips today. That beautiful river, our shared community resource, has given me and countless others a stream of enjoyment that just keeps on flowing. Like the river itself, the Mid-American Canoe & Kayak Race has been a reliable old friend. Every year during my youth, on the first Sunday in June, my friends and I made a beeline on our bikes to downtown Batavia for a riverside view. That was decades ago, but the giddy excitement still …