Author: twagner

He may’ve eluded capture yet again, but the sightings? Oh, they were there – we’ve got the proof. And when the Bigfoot Trail Run 5K returns to the woods and wilderness of Red Oak in North Aurora at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, race enthusiasts of all levels will get another crack at cornering… Read More

Celebrate all things pumpkins, catch a Chicago vs. New York ballgame on the lakefront, hit the trails in a unique 5K – and so much more – this Fall in the FVPD! Here’s a quick lineup of fun to consider, and be sure to check out the full Events Calendar for more Fall activities and… Read More

Olivia Morton had just stepped off Turtle Trail, where she’d wound up a mega-strand of purple yarn that was used in an “imagination hike” after 2- and 3-year-old campers at Red Oak’s Imagination Station camp listened to the tale of Harold and the Purple Crayon. “I think about belonging a lot,” said Olivia, 15. “If… Read More

When it comes to "first fish" pics, chances of squealing are high, sometimes Dad has to step in and do the heavy lifting, and those jack-o'-lantern smiles quite often indicate the tooth fairy's been around recently. Here's hoping digital scrapbooks get filled with more memories during the Fox Valley Park District’s Free Youth Fishing Derby… Read More

Summer tunes at sunset return to iconic Blackberry Farm for the 11th season of Live & Uncorked – the Fox Valley Park District’s outdoor concert series that plays on Thursdays at our 55-year-old living history museum. For eight weeks beginning Thursday, June 6, through Thursday, August 1, summer concertgoers can enjoy the sounds of Chicagoland’s… Read More

It’s a mid-spring morning and Officer Sammi Rodriguez – Badge No. 7458, Fox Valley Park District Police Department – steers her black Ford SUV around a bend on Route 25 in North Aurora. She’s northbound when the Red Oak Nature Center parking lot zooms into view on the left, as do the spinning red strobes… Read More

Swifties, cicadas, and sunset tunes are just a few elements bound to make ’24 a summer to savor! Check out our “Summer 7” for ideas to consider, and be sure to keep an eye on the Events Calendar for all the warm-weather activities happening across the District! Summer Camp Spots Remain! ​Space remains in several… Read More

The email arrived in September from resident Karalyn Falatovich, who was already thinkin’ spring and hoping to proactively connect with Fox Valley Park District staff and collab on an early ’24 planting project. Or, more specifically in terms of staff, “someone who could nerd out with me about trees.” A first-time homeowner in the Lakewood… Read More

Hey, it's April in the FVPD, and we're celebrating the solar eclipse and goin' all pink at an event with Barbie. Check out more fun opportunities to enjoy this month below, and be sure to peep the Events Calendar for a full lineup of upcoming adventures. Family Bingo Night Can’t beat the time-honored tradition of… Read More

Doesn’t matter the occasion, Red Oak always seems to dress the part. Takes her no time at all to get ready, either. “We’ve had people do their own versions of movies down by the cave, and we’ve had a lot of professional photo shoots for special occasions like Quinceańeras,” says Renee Oakley, facility manager at… Read More