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<title>News &amp; Press</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/default.asp</link>
<description><![CDATA[  Read about recent events, essential information and the latest community news.  ]]></description>
<lastBuildDate>Sat, 6 Jun 2026 05:42:31 GMT</lastBuildDate>
<pubDate>Wed, 3 Jun 2026 14:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
<copyright>Copyright &#xA9; 2026 Illinois Association of Park Districts</copyright>
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<title>Cancer Center, Champaign, Urbana Park Districts team up to promote sun safety</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=728538</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=728538</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/cancer-center-champaign-urbana-park-192938212.html" target="_blank">Cancer Center, Champaign, Urbana Park Districts team up to promote sun safety</a></span></strong><br />To mark National Sunscreen Day last week, the Cancer Center at Illinois and the Urbana and Champaign Park districts made it easy to access sunscreen.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 3 Jun 2026 15:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Fort Frankfort Playground is OPEN</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=728525</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=728525</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.frankfortparks.org/fort-frankfort-playground-is-open/" target="_blank">Fort Frankfort Playground is OPEN</a></span></strong><br />The renovated Fort Frankfort playground at Commissioners Park is open! The new inclusive design allows our friends with all abilities access to play!&nbsp;&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 3 Jun 2026 15:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Glen Ellyn Park District’s fishin’ derby to cast off June 20</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=728413</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=728413</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.shawlocal.com/my-suburban-life/2026/06/01/glen-ellyn-park-districts-fishin-derby-to-cast-off-june-20/" target="_blank">Glen Ellyn Park District’s fishin’ derby to cast off June 20</a></span></strong><br />Reel in some fun at the Glen Ellyn Park District’s upcoming Badges and Bobbers Fishin’ Derby.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Jun 2026 14:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Kids interact with reptiles and more at Des Plaines Family Day at Lake Park</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=728327</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=728327</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dailyherald.com/20260530/news/kids-interact-with-reptiles-and-more-at-des-plaines-family-day-at-lake-park/" target="_blank">Kids interact with reptiles and more at Des Plaines Family Day at Lake Park</a></span></strong><br />Des Plaines Park District’s Family Day lived up to its name Saturday as families gathered at Lake Park for live entertainment, inflatables, food trucks, paddle boats, kayaking, sailing on the lake and golfing.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 1 Jun 2026 15:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation breaks ground on accessible playground, drop off lane</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=728065</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=728065</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://ipmnewsroom.org/champaign-urbana-special-recreation-breaks-ground-on-accessible-playground-drop-off-lane/" target="_blank">Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation breaks ground on accessible playground, drop off lane</a></span></strong><br />Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation broke ground on two new projects Tuesday that aim to provide recreation programs and opportunities to people with disabilities.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 17:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Freeport&apos;s Krape Park opens for 2026 summer season</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=728064</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=728064</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.aol.com/news/freeports-krape-park-opens-2026-090529955.html" target="_blank">Freeport's Krape Park opens for 2026 summer season</a></strong></span><br />Freeport's Krape Park, offering a variety of outdoor activities, from disc golf to paddle boating and live music, officially opened for the season on May 23.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 17:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Park District officials cut ribbon on renovated conservatory dome</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=727617</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=727617</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.sj-r.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2026/05/18/washington-park-botanical-garden-conservatory-dome-re-opening/90035360007/" target="_blank">Park District officials cut ribbon on renovated conservatory dome</a></span></strong><br />Springfield Park District officials held a ribbon cutting at the newly renovated conservatory dome at the Washington Park Botanical Garden Conservatory May 18, 2026.&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Roger Matile continues to be a caretaker of Oswego, Kendall County history</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=727452</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=727452</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.shawlocal.com/kendall-county-now/2026/05/14/roger-matile-continues-to-be-a-caretaker-of-oswego-kendall-county-history/" target="_blank">Roger Matile continues to be a caretaker of Oswego, Kendall County history</a></span></strong><br />To know about the history of Oswego or Kendall County, there’s no better person to ask than Roger Matile. He’s been the volunteer director of the Little White School Museum in Oswego since 1994.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 16:08:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Naperville Park District’s free Sunday summer concert series returns</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=727449</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=727449</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.nctv17.org/news/naperville-park-districts-free-sunday-summer-concert-series-returns/" target="_blank">Naperville Park District’s free Sunday summer concert series returns</a></strong></span><br />The Naperville Park District will be bringing back “Concerts in Your Park,” a free summer music series set in various neighborhood parks throughout the city.<br />]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 15:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Park district’s Lions Club Pool, Splash Pad set to open</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=727447</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=727447</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.hfchronicle.com/2026/05/14/park-districts-lions-club-pool-splash-pad-set-to-open/" target="_blank">Park district’s Lions Club Pool, Splash Pad set to open</a></span></strong><br />In about two weeks, the Lions Club Pool will open for the season on Saturday, May 30.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 15:37:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Bolingbrook&apos;s Central Park Spray Pad Opens May 22</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726901</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726901</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://patch.com/illinois/bolingbrook/bolingbrooks-central-park-spray-pad-opens-may-22" target="_blank">Bolingbrook's Central Park Spray Pad Opens May 22</a></span></strong><br />School is winding down, and summer is almost here, which means it's time for community pools and splash pads to open again for the season.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 8 May 2026 15:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Lan-Oak Park District’s bike share program opens for the season</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726865</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726865</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thelansingjournal.org/2026/05/06/lan-oak-park-districts-bike-share-program-opens-for-the-season/" target="_blank">Lan-Oak Park District’s bike share program opens for the season</a></span></strong><br />No bike. No storage. No problem. The Lan-Oak Park District’s bike share program returned May 1, making it easy for residents to ride even if they don’t own a bike.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 7 May 2026 21:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Getting in touch with nature at Wheeling Earth Day celebration</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726284</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726284</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Getting in touch with nature at Wheeling Earth Day celebration</span></strong><br />From scenic walks and kite launches, to environmental education and animal encounters, Sunday was a celebration of all things nature in Wheeling.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:45:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Oak Brook Park District participates in annual River Sweep effort</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726146</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726146</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dailyherald.com/20260426/submitted-content/oak-brook-park-district-participates-in-annual-river-sweep-effort/" target="_blank">Oak Brook Park District participates in annual River Sweep effort</a></span></strong><br />The Oak Brook Park District recently joined communities across the region in the annual River Sweep, a large-scale environmental cleanup organized by The Conservation Foundation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Naperville celebrates Earth Month with conservation activities, plant sales and more</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725488</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725488</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dailyherald.com/20260414/submitted-content/naperville-celebrates-earth-month-with-conservation-activities-plant-sales-and-more/" target="_blank">Naperville celebrates Earth Month with conservation activities, plant sales and more</a></span></strong><br />Naperville Park District, the city of Naperville, and many other local organizations are hosting community events, plant sales, and activities to collectively celebrate Earth Month Naperville, in recognition of the 56th annual Earth Day. Earth Month Naperville started April 6 and continues to April 30.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Bensenville Park District celebrates Earth Day with recycling, volunteering and family fun</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725487</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725487</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.dailyherald.com/20260414/submitted-content/bensenville-park-district-celebrates-earth-day-with-recycling-volunteering-and-family-fun/" target="_blank">Bensenville Park District celebrates Earth Day with recycling, volunteering and family fun</a></strong></span><br />Bensenville Park District will celebrate Earth Day with a full day of activities on Saturday, April 25, bringing together community service, recycling opportunities and family-friendly fun.<br />]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:24:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Mundelein parks, Morton Arboretum receive $200,000 tourism grants</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725479</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725479</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.dailyherald.com/20260415/news/mundelein-parks-morton-arboretum-receive-200000-tourism-grants/" target="_blank">Mundelein parks, Morton Arboretum receive $200,000 tourism grants</a></strong></span><br />Efforts to revitalize Mundelein’s Diamond Lake Beach and upgrade the Morton Arboretum’s popular “Illumination” holiday display received a significant boost Tuesday in the form of $200,000 grants each from the state.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Kane County Celebrates Earth Day with Tree &amp; Shrub Planting</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725400</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725400</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://nationaltoday.com/us/il/aurora-il/news/2026/04/14/kane-county-celebrates-earth-day-with-tree-shrub-planting/" target="_blank">Kane County Celebrates Earth Day with Tree &amp; Shrub Planting</a></span></strong><br />The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is hosting a community tree and shrub planting event on Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m. at Fabyan Forest Preserve in Batavia, Illinois. Volunteers are invited to help plant 500 native species as part of the county's Earth Day celebration.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Waukegan Park District Announces 2026 GO WAUKEGAN Community Walks</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725254</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725254</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dailyherald.com/20260408/submitted-content/waukegan-park-district-announces-2026-go-waukegan-community-walks/" target="_blank">Waukegan Park District Announces 2026 GO WAUKEGAN Community Walks</a></span></strong><br />Get your steps in! The Waukegan Park District is hosting several GO WAUKEGAN community walks in 2026.&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Forest Preserves Photographers Earn National Trail Awards</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725253</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725253</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dailyherald.com/20260408/submitted-content/forest-preserves-photographers-earn-national-trail-awards/" target="_blank">Forest Preserves Photographers Earn National Trail Awards</a></span></strong><br />Two Lake County Forest Preserves photographers have won top honors for their images of the Des Plaines River Trail.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:03:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Gateway Special Recreation participant earns top honors across multiple disciplines</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725252</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725252</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dailyherald.com/20260410/submitted-content/gateway-special-recreation-participant-earns-top-honors-across-multiple-disciplines/" target="_blank">Gateway Special Recreation participant earns top honors across multiple disciplines</a></span></strong><br />A local athlete is making waves, scoring points, and stepping into the spotlight in a remarkable season with support from the Oak Brook Park District community.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Forest Preserve&apos;s Recycle Your Bicycle Program Adds Romeoville Location</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725162</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725162</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://patch.com/illinois/romeoville/forest-preserves-recycle-your-bicycle-program-adds-romeoville-location" target="_blank">Forest Preserve's Recycle Your Bicycle Program Adds Romeoville Location</a></span></strong><br />The Forest Preserve District of Will County has added yet another drop-off location for area residents who are looking to recycle their old or unwanted bikes this April.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>How to celebrate Earth Day</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725159</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725159</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.smilepolitely.com/splog/how-to-celebrate-earth-day/" target="_blank">How to celebrate Earth Day</a></strong></span><br />Earth Day this year is Wednesday, April 22. Champaign-Urbana goes all out with lots of fun activities to do to celebrate.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Waukegan Park District accepting applications for 2026 American Independence Parade</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725039</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725039</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dailyherald.com/20260406/submitted-content/waukegan-park-district-accepting-applications-for-2026-american-independence-parade/" target="_blank">Waukegan Park District accepting applications for 2026 American Independence Parade</a></span></strong><br />The Waukegan Park District is accepting online applications for the 2026 American Independence Parade, which will step off at noon on Sunday, June 28, traveling north on Sheridan Road from Franklin Street to Jack Benny Drive.&nbsp;]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 8 Apr 2026 19:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Northbrook’s West Park renovation includes new playground, multisport court</title>
<link>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725038</link>
<guid>https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=725038</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dailyherald.com/20260407/submitted-content/northbrooks-west-park-renovation-includes-new-playground-multisport-court/" target="_blank">Northbrook’s West Park renovation includes new playground, multisport court</a></span></strong><br />The extensive renovation of West Park in Northbrook is scheduled to begin in mid to late May with completion in fall.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 8 Apr 2026 19:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
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