PARKS & RECREATION

Cary Park District

Cary Park District provides exceptional recreational programs plus beautiful parks, open spaces and facilities to enhance the healthy and active lifestyles of its residents.

Founded in 1971, the Park District serves a population of over 21,000 from the communities of Cary, Trout Valley, Oakwood Hills and Lake in the Hills. Each season, the agency provides hundreds of affordable and accessible indoor and outdoor recreation programs and activities to its residents including several community wide special events and social gatherings throughout the year. Plus, well-maintained facilities including the Park District Preschool, Foxford Hills Golf Club, Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center, and the Community Center which boasts a fitness center and several program and meeting rooms that allow the agency to create recreational opportunities that meet the needs of all ages and interests. Visit carypark.com for information on all of the Park District’s parks, facilities, recreational programs and services.

Community Center

255 Briargate Rd. Cary, IL 60013 (847) 639-6100 www.carypark.com

The Cary Park District Community Center is the home to a variety of programs and activities for a wide range of ages and interests. Arts, early childhood, dance, drama, and fitness are just some of the programs you will discover. Program guides are available for viewing at carypark.com. The eight program rooms within the Community Center are available to rent for private gatherings and celebrations. Plus, the Community Center offers a fitness center with state of the art equipment for cardio and muscular strengthening and memberships at reasonable fees.

SUNBURST BAY AQUATIC CENTER

Located at Cary-Grove Park on Three Oaks Rd. and First St., it is designed to support interests of toddlers to seniors. Individuals and families can enjoy the leisure pool with a zero depth entry, a variety of water play features and slides, a water walk, and current channel. The lap pool features eight 25 yard lanes, diving boards, drop slide, and an aqua climbing wall. Other amenities include two body flume slides, deck and lawn seating and cabanas, a concession stand and party room. Information on season passes, daily fees, hours, rentals, swim lessons, and other programs will be available at carypark.com spring 2023.

Cary Park District Preschool

100 Cary-Algonquin Rd.

Cary, IL 60013

(847) 639-7448

The Cary Park District Preschool creates a positive, sensitive, and responsive environment to help children feel valued and grow with each learning experience. Through developmentally appropriate activities, we foster physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth while promoting a lifetime love of learning. Visit carypark.com for program and registration information.

Foxford Hills Golf Club

6800 S. Rawson Bridge Rd.

Cary, IL 60013

(847) 639-0400

This golf club features 18 distinctly spectacular holes, a driving range, a bright and airy wellstocked pro shop, and tasty bar-and-grill fare in the restaurant. The course offers a memorable sequence of golf holes, each a unique experience unto itself as it is strategically placed amidst the natural beauty of protected woods and wetlands that surround it.

PARKS & TRAILS

The Cary Park District maintains over 862 acres with 46 parks and parcels and over 6.5 miles of trail. Within these parks residents can enjoy playgrounds, athletic fields, community gardens, fishing pier, splash pad, picnic shelters, skate park, off leash dog play area, bandshell, and Walnut Hollow Disc Golf Course. Visit carypark.com for a park and facilities map and all the amenities each park has to offer.

SANDS MAIN STREET PRAIRIE

Located adjacent to E. Main St., this 80 acre nature preserve is noted for its rare gravel hill prairie. Visitors can get lost in the untouched beauty and enjoy the sounds of nature while walking the two looping trails.

NISRA (NORTHERN ILLINOIS SPECIAL RECREATION ASSOCIATION)

Cary Park District is a member of the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association. NISRA provides recreation programs for people with disabilities. For more information about their services, call (815) 459-0737 or visit www.nisra.org

Fox River Grove Parks

LIONS PARK

Located at 102 Beachway Dr., this 6.05 acre park along the Fox River has a new 1,000 foot asphalt bike path along the shoreline connecting the two ends of the park. Lions Park has something for everyone to enjoy including a playground, baseball fields, basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, grass, parkland, picnic areas, and a pavilion. Lions Park is also a great spot for shoreline fishing with views of the bridge.

FOXMOOR PARK

Foxmoor Park consists of 29.50 acres within the Foxmoor subdivision. Foxmoor Park contains grass parkland, a gazebo, 4 ponds for fishing, and open areas for hiking and enjoying nature.

FOXMOOR/JAYCEE PARK

The five-acre Foxmoor / Jaycee Park contains a shelter, picnic areas, playground, fishing, hiking trails, and combination soccer and baseball field.

PICNIC GROVE PARK

Located at 598 Birch Ln., this park boasts 40 acres of nature and recreation. With a new 1,900 foot long bike path along the Fox River, you can view wildflowers, wooded hills, wetlands, and savanna. This park has a gazebo and two pavilions. The larger pavilion lies next to two sets of “bags” games, a sand volleyball court and playground. Find a spot on the superb “sledding hill” to enjoy Fox River Grove’s annual Fireworks show on the Saturday following the 4th of July. Shoreline fishing and a non-motorized boat launch are also available at this park.

KIDS CARE COURT

Kids Care Court is a multipurpose basketball and roller blade court. The 100’ x 200’ area is flooded for ice skating in the winter.

STANGER PARK

Stanger Park is located adjacent to Kids Care Court and is less than one acre. The park contains playground equipment and a fitness area for school age children.

ALGONQUIN ROAD PARK

Algonquin Road Park consists of 6.75 acres and has a full size soccer field that the Fox River Grove Recreation Council schedules for games.

HUNTERS FARM PARK

Hunters Farm Park is located at Bridle Path and Saddle Lanes in Hunters Farm subdivision north of IL-Rte. 22. It is made up of 15.35 acres and has a picnic area, tot and school aged playground and combination soccer/baseball fields. Ball field group use is scheduled through Fox River Grove Recreation Council.

All park group use by residents and non-residents requires a park permit. Group use athletic activity is scheduled through Fox River Grove Recreation Council. For information, contact the Fox Fiver Grove Village Hall at (847) 639-3170.

McHenry County Conservation District

District Administrative Office

18410 U.S. Hwy. 14

Woodstock, IL 60098 (815) 338-6223 www.MCCDistrict.org

FEL-PRO RRR

1520 Crystal Lake Rd., Cary

This site offers a variety of recreation amenities including two small fishing ponds, 2.2 miles of nature trails, a 1 mile paved trail, two picnic shelters, sand volleyball, basketball court and an 18 hole disc golf course.

FOX BLUFF

Cary-Algonquin and Cold Springs Rds., Cary

Noted for its rolling hills and spring-fed streams, this site is home to oak woodlands, a sedge meadow, and a half-mile of Fox River frontage. A picnic shelter, a 2.25 mile hiking trail and a short .25 mile paved trail that leads to the river are available for visitors to enjoy the site.

HICKORY GROVE HIGHLANDS & RIVERFRONT/LYONS PRAIRIE & MARSH

500 Hickory Nut Grove Ln., Cary

This site offers an unusual diversity of habitats and is home to an Illinois State Nature Preserve. The Highlands serves as a refuge for northern Illinois wildlife, while the Riverfront provides bank fishing along the Fox River. Camping, horseback riding, two picnic shelters, and 3.5 miles of hiking trails are featured.

THE HOLLOWS

3804 U.S. Highway 14, Cary

Lake Atwood provides clear, deep water for nonmotorized boats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Fishing, group camping, and 4.75 miles of looped trails for hikers and cross-country skiers make this a popular spot.

PRAIRIEVIEW EDUCATION CENTER

2112 Behan Rd., Crystal Lake

This environmental education facility offers a variety of education programs and exhibits throughout the year. Outdoors, visitors can explore 5 miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails. This facility hosts programs, workshops, a family drop-in “Exploration Station,” loan materials, and hiker trail packs to borrow.

SILVER CREEK

1009 Rawson Bridge Rd., Cary

This site offers 5 miles of hiking and a small, 1-acre fishing pond. The southern 1.5-mile trail loop is groomed for skate skiing in the winter. The Prairieview Education Center is on the north side.