Central Park is located located in the heart of downtown at 104 E. Benton Avenue. It features The Naperville Community Concert Center, a City-owned facility.

While the Concert Center is a year-round home to the Naperville Municipal Band and Young Naperville Singers, it is also available for use by Naperville-based groups.

The Concert Center is designed to accommodate performing arts groups and boasts a large performance stage, acoustic equipment, rehearsal and meeting space and dressing rooms.

Features

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• Playground
• Trails
• Band Shell
• Art: Laughing Lincoln Sculpture and The Great Concerto Mural

DuPage River Park is just east of DuPage River Sports Complex. The two parks are connected by a multi-use trail that continues all the way through DuPage River Park to Whalon Lake Preserve, which is a Will County Forest Preserve with a beautiful lake. If you park at the Royce Road entrance at DuPage River Park, you will find a large picnic shelter, restrooms, a drinking fountain, open fields, and trails along the East Branch of the DuPage River and through the woods and fields. Learn about the history of this large park by reading the educational sign posted along the trail.

Features

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• Trails
• Picnic Shelter
• Pond

DuPage River Sports Complex is located off of Washington Street on the southwest side of Naperville. The park features 3 baseball fields, 2 softball fields, tennis courts, a basketball court and an inline hockey rink.

Features

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• Basketballe Courts
• Baseball Fields
• Multi-Purpose Fields
• Tennis Courts
• Inline Hockey Rink
• Picnic Shelter
• Trails

In 2016, renovations will begin to Frontier Sports Complex. Included in the scope of the work on the west end of the park is the addition of a parking lot with lighting, a new restroom facility and a trail along the roadway.

On the east end of the park, four soccer fields will be renovated with the use of lazer grading. The irrigation system, that is past its life cycle, will be replaced. An asphalt trail will be added from the east parking lot, through the soccer fields and terminating at the central parking lot. This will provide an accessible route through the park and to the sports fields.

Work is expected to start in late spring and finish up at the end of summer 2016.

Features

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• Playground
• Basketball Courts
• Softball Fields
• Bocce Ball
• Multi Purpose Field
• Trails
• Picnic Shelter
• Restrooms
• Skate Park
• AED Device

Knoch Park is located just southwest of Downtown Naperville. It is home of Naperville's yearly Ribfest. It features 6 baseball fields, 12 tennis courts, and 4 softball fields.

Features

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• Playground
• Baseball Fields
• Softball Fields
• Multipurpose Fields
• Tennis Courts
• Trails
• Restrooms

In the 1930s, McDowell Grove was a camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps - a work-relief program part of President Roosevelt's New Deal legislation - which built bridges, picnic areas, a boathouse, bridle paths and a limestone dam on the West Branch of the DuPage River. During World War II, the site served as a secret installation for developing radar technology.

Today, the 465-acre McDowell Grove Forest Preserve in Naperville is comprised of mature woodlands, open fields with eastern bluebirds and Cooper's hawks, and a floodplain forest with towering butternuts and black maples. It's recently been the site of a dam- modification project, which will return the stretch of river to a healthier, more natural waterway and improve aquatic habitats.

Features

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• Picnicking - Picnickers can reserve either the 25-person shelter along the river or the 150-person picnic area to the southeast through Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 but must do so at least three business days before their visit. Ground fires are prohibited, but visitors may bring their own grills and use the on-site hot-coal disposal containers. For everyone's convenience, McDowell Grove offers a water pump and portable toilets.
• Trails - McDowell Grove features nearly 7 miles of looped turf and limestone trails for hikers, bicyclists, cross-country skiers and horseback riders. The trails connect to the Regional Trail, which links with four other preserves.
• Fishing - Anglers can access the 22-acre Mud Lake and the West Branch of the DuPage River from McDowell Grove Forest Preserve. The state has stocked the river with smallmouth bass for catch-and-release fishing. Anglers will find catfish, bass, carp, sunfish and bluegill in Mud Lake.
• Dogs - Dogs are welcome at McDowell Grove but must be on leashes no greater than 10 feet in length.
• Boating - Paddlers can access the West Branch of the DuPage River near the Fawell Dam. They can reach the put-in and take-out sites via a gravel access road off Raymond Drive. Parking is not available at this location.

Naperville Riverwalk was built by residents in 1981 to commemorate the city's 150th birthday. Since then, it has become a focal point of the community and is recognized as one of the most beautiful spots in the Midwest, and has won state and national awards. Its covered bridges, fountains, landscaping, and distinctive shepherd's-crook light poles have become symbolic of Naperville's ties to its historic past as the oldest settlement in DuPage County. Visitors travel from far and near to enjoy the splendor of the Riverwalk and the quaint restaurants and shops in downtown Naperville. Known as the "Crown Jewel of Naperville" the Riverwalk attracts lunchtime strollers, families and early morning joggers. Stroll along the brick-paved winding paths of the Riverwalk, view the art pieces of the Century Walk, have a picnic at the pavilion, or enjoy a summer outdoor concert. A memorial to the victims of the September 11 attack is located on the Riverwalk's south bank, adjacent to City Hall.

Features

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• Grand Pavilion - Located on the Riverwalk's west end, the Grand Pavilion is a large, covered structure that is used for picnics, Naperville Park District programs, walk-a-thons, and many other events.
• Bambule Riverwalk Gateway - The Bambule Riverwalk Gateway was made possible by a gift from James and Patricia Bambule, North Central College alumni and longtime Naperville residents. The Bambule Riverwalk Gateway links North Central's campus and Naperville's Riverwalk.
• Jaycees Playground - This well-loved, ADA-accessible playground offers fun for children of all ages and abilities. Playground amenities include Braille and sign language panels, climbers, wiggle ladder, centipede climber, slides, swings and more.
• Centennial Skate Park - Although skating is not allowed on the Riverwalk itself, enthusiasts can test their inline skating or skateboarding skills at Centennial Skate Park, located adjacent to the Riverwalk and Centennial Beach. This free, unsupervised facility includes obstacles such as quarter-pipes, grinding rails and fun boxes.
• Centennial Beach and Grill - Centennial Beach is Naperville's historic "beach" that has been enjoyed by residents and visitors alike since 1931. Amenities include plenty of space for picnicking, zero-depth water entry with depths up to 15', a sand beach, water play features, diving board complex, slide and a sand volleyball court. Other highlights include updated locker rooms, family changing rooms, deck-level restrooms and lockers, an ADA platform lift and Centennial Grill, which offers a wide variety of food and beverage options.
• Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower and Visitor Center - The Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower was built to commemorate the third millennium. The bell tower stands 158 feet tall with 253 steps and 72 bells. The largest bell, nicknamed "Big Joe" for Joseph Naper, weighs in at six tons. Directly adjacent to the tower is the Visitor Center (formerly known as the Netzley House) where guests can learn about the Carillon and area history through interactive exhibits. Tickets to tour the tower are available for purchase at the Visitor Center.
• Rotary Hill - Rotary Hill is host to many special events year-round such as the Last Fling and Millennium Carillon concerts. The hill also is popular in winter months as a favorite sledding spot. Rotary Hill is located near Aurora Avenue adjacent to the Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower.
• Riverwalk Eatery - Located near Rotary Hill, the Naperville Park District's Riverwalk Eatery is a convenient stop for a variety of food and snacks.
• Paddleboat Quarry and Fishing Pier - Enjoy a Riverwalk paddleboat ride and explore part of the historic Naperville quarry. Four-person paddleboats are available for rental on all non-school days from mid-May to mid-September. Visit the Riverwalk Eatery for paddleboat rental information.
• Shanower Memorial - Inspired by Naval Commander Dan Shanower, a Naperville native who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on America, this memorial was one of the first in the U.S. dedicated to lives that were lost on that tragic day. The memorial includes more than 140 faces molded into a 48-foot retaining wall that were created by Naperville school children symbolizing the casualties on that day. An eternal flame also is present surrounded by a perennial garden.
• Riverwalk Amphitheater, Millennium Wall and Labyrinth - This open-tiered area can accommodate up to 100 people and is often used for community events and performances such as library-hosted family story hours. It also is a popular rentable space for outdoor weddings. The new Millennium Wall features all the original inscriptions on bronze plaques, commemorating donors supporting City activities at the turn of the century. The Riverwalk Millennium Labyrinth is a replica of the Chartres Labyrinth in France and was designed to provide visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the twists and turns of this compact pathway.
• Dandelion Fountain - Named for its shape, the Dandelion Fountain is surrounded by a picturesque scene of flowers and the nearby covered bridge, making it a perfect place to enjoy lunch or some quiet time. The fountain is located on Jackson Avenue at Webster Street.
• Exchange Club Veteran's Plaza - Located just east of the Dandelion Fountain, this plaza is dedicated to the men and women who have served our country. A list honoring those Napervillians who made the ultimate sacrifice is located on the monument in the center of the plaza.
• Horse Trough Fountain (White Plaza) - This large black basin, which is now a fountain at White Plaza off of Main Street, was once a horse trough at a downtown intersection during Naperville's early years.
• Fredenhagen Park - Located at Washington Street and the DuPage River, Fredenhagen Park is the gateway to the east extension of the Riverwalk. The land for the park was generously donated in memory of Walter and Grace Fredenhagen by their children. Located in Fredenhagen Park, the Exchange Club Memories Fountain is surrounded by commemorative bricks and stones with messages including personal milestones, celebration of loved ones and even invitations of marriage.
• Century Walk - Funded by Naperville's Special Events Cultural Amenities Fund and private donors, Century Walk features many unique pieces of major artwork that have been created as a tribute to Naperville's heritage.

The Nike Sports Complex expansion is now in play! Newly-opened amenities include the district's first lighted, synthetic turf field and multi-use fields for soccer, football and lacrosse. Other features are lighted courts for tennis, basketball and volleyball, as well as a playground and walking and bicycle trails. The Book Family Pavilion, the expansion's park support building, is named to honor the family that once farmed the Naperville Park District land.

"We're excited to deliver this diverse recreational facility to Naperville's residents," says Eric Shutes, Naperville Park District's director of planning. "We thank everyone involved in this project - and especially the community and the site's neighbors - for supporting this expansion and seeing it to successful completion. There truly is something for everyone at the new Nike Sports Complex."

Several thousand people are expected to use the Nike Sports Complex, which nearly doubles the size of the existing sports complex located along Mill Street between Diehl and Bauer Roads. The expanded sports complex also will feature one of two cricket pitches in Naperville, slated to open in 2012.

Features

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• 2 - 60 ft. Baseball Fields
• 1 Adult Softball Field
• 6 Large Multi Use Fields
• Volleyball Courts
• Tenis Courts
• Restrooms

Sportsman's Park, a 27-acre property given to the City of Naperville in the Caroline Martin-Mitchell bequest, is a unique community amenity, including a trapshooting facility that is open two days per week and valuable green space for the public to enjoy just minutes from downtown Naperville.

Under a lease agreement with the City of Naperville, the Naperville Park District maintains and operates Sportsman's Park in collaboration with the Naperville Sportsman's Club. For information about the Naperville Sportsman's Club visit their website at www.napervillesportsmansclub.org In 2011, in cooperation with the City of Naperville, the Naperville Park District enrolled Sportsman's Park in a site remediation plan through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). The goal of the remediation was to obtain a No Further Remediation (NFR) letter from the IEPA for the site, allowing seven acres of the park to be open for public use. This area had been closed due to regulations associated with a previous National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit in effect since 1998. Phases I and II of the site remediation plan were completed in 2013 and 2014.

In addition to remediating the site, the Naperville Park District initiated major park improvements at Sportsman's Park. This project was supported by a multi-year grant from the City of Naperville's Special Events and Cultural Amenities (SECA) program.

Sportsman's Park improvements included ADA accessible walkways and shooting stations, energy efficient, low-spill sports lighting, ADA upgrades to the Sportsman's Clubhouse, a new pervious pavement parking lot to filter stormwater on site, an asphalt driveway, approximately one mile of new trails, natural area restoration and landscaping.

Features

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The trapshooting range at Sportsman's Park is open to the public and features a clubhouse and three lighted trap fields. Anyone who enjoys the sport of trapshooting is invited to come out and shoot. Year-round shooting hours are Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 6:00 p.m., with no sign-up taken after 4:00 p.m. The facility is located on West Street, just north of the Community Garden Plots and across from Knoch Park.

Fees for shooting are $10.75 for club members, $12.00 for residents, and $13.25 for nonresidents. The fee includes 25 clay targets and shotgun shells. Additional fees are posted on-site for Doubles and Target Only rounds. Sportsman's Park is a steel-shot-only range. Eye and ear protection is mandatory and shooters must provide their own shotguns and F.O.I.D. card.

Originally slated to be the site of a 200-acre dragon-shaped lake with a swim beach and campground, today, the 1,832-acre Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville is instead one of three regionally significant grassland bird communities in the state and home to species like meadowlarks, dickcissels, grasshopper sparrows, woodcocks, and bobolinks as well as state-endangered northern harriers, short-eared owls, and Henslow's sparrows.

A stream re-meandering project has created twists and turns and a wider, shallower bank along the namesake Spring Brook. These changes have slowed the flow of water, improving aquatic habitat and allowing the brook to more easily pour over its banks and into the preserve during heavy rains, a valuable flood-control feature for nearby residents.

Springbrook Prairie Nature Preserve and Springbrook Marsh Land & Water Reserve, both within Springbrook Prairie, comprise 1,650 of the preserve's 1,832 acres. The site features expansive prairies and meadows and supports numerous rare bird species.

Features

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• Picnicking - A reservable shelter is at the 83rd Street trailhead. A second, smaller nonreservable shelter is on the west side of Plainfield- Naperville Road near the parking lot.
  Ground fires are prohibited, but visitors may bring their own grills and use the on-site hot-coal disposal containers.
  For everyone's convenience, Springbrook Prairie offers drinking water and restrooms with flush toilets at the 83rd Street trailhead and restrooms with pit toilets at the Naperville-Plainfield Road parking lot.
  
• Trails - Within the nature preserve area, dogs, horses and bicycles must remain on the maintained trails. The off-leash dog area, model-aircraft field and picnic areas are not part of the nature preserve and will continue to operate without restriction.
  Over 7 miles are open to hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers; 2 miles of narrow, mowed trails allow visitors, except bicyclists, a closer view of the preserve's natural features. Sections of the trail may be closed during key bird breeding seasons to protect critical nesting habitats.
  
• Dogs - Dogs with valid Forest Preserve District permits can enjoy Springbrook Prairie's off-leash area at the 83rd Street trailhead. Owners must have their dogs' permits in their possession when in the off-leash area. Applications for annual and daily permits are available through Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  Rules for the off-leash area are posted at the preserve. Dogs must be on leashes no greater than 10 feet in length in all other areas of the preserve, including the parking lots.
  
• Model-Aircraft Area - Operators with valid District permits in their possession can use the model-aircraft field on the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road.
  Annual and daily permits are available through Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Senior citizens are entitled to one free annual permit per calendar year.