Parks & Recreation Department

Our Mission:
The mission of the Parks and Recreation Department is...
To create unique recreational and park experiences that enrich lives and create a sense of community.

The Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department strives to:

• respond to the leisure needs and desires of the Yorkville community.
• implement the Parks and Open Space Master Plan.
• plan, acquire, develop, maintain, and preserve parks, facilities, and natural and historic areas.
• provide the community with opportunities to play, gather, celebrate, learn and enjoy nature.
• utilize financial resources efficiently and equitably.

  2011-2012 Winter Program Catalog

• Winter 2011 - 2012 Class registration begins Monday Dec. 5 for Residents and Dec. 12 for Non-Residents
• REC Center Swim Lessons registartion begins Wed.Dec. 19
• Program Registration Form
• Volunteer Form

The Winter 2011 - 2012 Catalog will be delivered to your door (Yorkville address) during the week of Nov. 28.  Please stop by the REC Center to pick up a new catalog or call the REC Center at 630-553-2582 if you have not received a catalog.

If registering ONLINE you must call the REC Center at 630-553-2582 to submit your credit card number, or you will NOT be considered registered for the activity.

2011 Fall Catalog

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NEW!! View the latest test run of the Glen D. Palmer Dam Whitewater canoe/kayak course located in the heart of Yorkville's downtown area on the Fox River on YouTube.

NEW!! Also don't forget to check out both the Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department and the Whitewater course on Facebook.

REMINDER! The United City of Yorkville Parks and Recreation Administrative Office located at 201 West Hydraulic is closed to walk-in customers due to budgetary constraints. All customers will be able to complete any business transactions via phone by calling the REC Center located at 202 E. Countryside Parkway. Please note that the Recreation Department staff is located at the REC Center. The Park staff office is located at 610 Tower Lane. For more information, please call the REC Center at 630.553.2582 or visit our Web site at www.yorkvillereccenter.com.

The United City of Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for over 40 parks and playgrounds throughout the city, many with truly unique themes. Check out the Parks and Facilities page for a map and key showing the parks, themes, and locations.

In addition to its many classes and programs for kids and adults, Parks and Recreation also offers Parker's Playtime Pre-School, basketball and soccer leagues, outdoor movies, Music Under the Stars and much more! The links to programs, classes and the catalog are in the menu at the right of this page.

The Parks and Recreation Department is a municipal department under the jurisdiction of the United City of Yorkville. As a result, there is no separate tax levied to fund the cost of operations for programs, facilities or parks. The department is under the direction of the Park Board, an advisory board that was created to provide direction, management and recommendations for the needs and desires for parks and recreational services.

Our History:

In 1977 the Park Commission and the Human Resource Commission jointly formed a Community Center Committee as an advisory commission to the City Council. As a result of the committee, the Beecher Community Center was constructed in 1979 on the land deeded to the city by the Illinois Department of Conservation on what was the former fairgrounds and game farm. The Center was built utilizing funds left to the city in the will of former City Clerk Clarence Beecher.

Prior to the creation of the Recreation Board in 1988, the development of community parks and the park department in the United City of Yorkville was managed through the city's Public Works department.

Below is a timeline of the formation of the United City of Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department:

• 1988–The Recreation Board was created by an ordinance established by the City Council to oversee the development of the park and recreation facilities and services. The board also managed and oversaw the formation of park and recreation policies.

1996–A full-time Recreation director was hired by the Park Board and City Council to provide recreation programs to the residents of Yorkville.

2001–The 1988 ordinance establishing the Park Board was revised to include the establishment of a full-time director of the Parks and Recreation department.

2002–The Parks and Recreation Department staff was expanded and realigned to include full time staff in the positions of Superintendent of Recreation, Administrative Assistant, Parks Foreman, Parks operator, Parks maintenance workers, and newly created positions for Recreation Coordinator and Director of Parks and Recreation. The establishment of the director position combined the focus for parks and recreation into one department.

2003–The ordinance was once again amended to expand the number of Park board members from five to seven.