The Fox Valley Park District believes in transparency and strives to maintain an open line of communication with our community members. Use the information on this page to connect with District team members. For general information, call 630-897-0516 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Board of Commissioners The Fox Valley Park… Read More

The kid wouldn’t admit it, no way. Not in front of the girls. After all, he’s 12. And the book on How to Put Up a Macho Front arguably could’ve been written by a 12-year-old. But the dimples that emerged, courtesy of a watermelon-slice smile, told a different story. Enrique Lessner was pretty darn pumped… Read More

Press Release – November 7, 2019 Popular seasonal event expanded to Thursdays in 2019 AURORA – The Holiday Express train is welcoming all aboard throughout the month of December at Blackberry Farm, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring thousands of twinkling lights, festive holiday decorations and happy holiday music. New this year… Read More

Press Release – September 3, 2020 Blackberry Farm’s popular, holiday-themed events sidelined by pandemic AURORA – Due to the significant restrictions placed on Blackberry Farm, which is unique in that it carries both museum and theme-park status, the Fox Valley Park District has opted to cancel two of the living history museum’s signature, holiday-themed events.… Read More

Press Release – January 25, 2021 AURORA – Planning an outdoor family reunion, birthday party, baby shower or other special event this summer? Shelter reservations at the Fox Valley Park District open at 8 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 1. District officials encourage residents to reserve their choice of 17 shelters online, including the popular Cool… Read More

Press Release – March 1, 2021 Early-bird season passes on sale from March 1 to May 14   AURORA – Blackberry Farm – the Fox Valley Park District’s living history museum – is set to reawaken in 2021, after the entirety of the 2020 season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Season passes are… Read More

On August 22 the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) class of 2021 and the Fox Valley Park District (FVPD) kicked off year two of the Service Learning Program. The collaboration gives the sophomore class opportunities for service in the Aurora community. FVPD Community Outreach Manager Debbie Smith called the collaboration with IMSA, named by Niche.com… Read More

Create a team of four adults and embark on an amazing race just like the famous TV show! In this four-hour adventure, teams are given a map and sets of clues to try and get from start to finish, completing mental and physical challenges along the way. NEW this year, sign up to be on… Read More

If you grew up on Aurora’s west side and pedaled a Schwinn, Sting-Ray or Huffy, chances are the Virgil L. Gilman Trail – or “nature trail” to ‘60s-through-80s kids – served as a trusty thoroughfare through childhood.  And on a certain section of that trail, then blanketed with crushed limestone, stood iconic flagstone walls, each… Read More

Tom Betsinger moved to Montgomery's Blackberry Crossing subdivision in 2010, his young family’s new neighborhood flanked by a 17-acre parcel of undeveloped green space perfect for running the dogs or playing catch – two favorite activities of Betsinger’s 2-year-old daughter. “One day she asked, ‘Can we go to Imagination Park?’” recalled Betsinger, a Village of… Read More