Illinois Association of Park Districts

06/18/2026

Bobbie Jo is gearing up for Sequin Season—we mean, IAPD award season! ✨ Nominations are now open for the 20th Annual . Help us recognize the outstanding agencies, board members, volunteers, partners, and community champions making a difference throughout Illinois. Nominations are due by NOON on Monday, August 10. Submit yours today: https://www.ilparks.org/page/Gala_Awards

06/18/2026

Today, we celebrate the birthday of the President and CEO of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, Peter M. Murphy! He is one of our state's most dedicated champions for parks, recreation, and conservation and has been a driving force behind an array of landmark initiatives including OSLAD, PTELL, PowerPlay! grants, the Park District Youth License Plate, the Legislative Conference, Legal Symposium, and so much more. His vision, enthusiasm, and leadership have made Illinois a better place to live, work, and recreate. Top of his birthday wish list? 🎁 Spending time with IAPD friends and colleagues on the fairways at the IAPD Summer Golf Tour!

Sign up to join him at one (or all) of our Summer Golf Tour outings: https://www.ilparks.org/page/SummerGolfTour

06/17/2026

Thanks for sharing your Exhibit Hall insights, Jackie (Park District of Forest Park)!

06/16/2026

Planning to apply for OSLAD funding when the cycle opens this July? Get IDNR's tips before applications open! Join IAPD and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources this Thursday, June 18 at 11 am for a FREE member webinar designed to help you build a stronger, more competitive application: https://www.ilparks.org/page/UpcomingWebinars

06/15/2026

Communities are stronger when they come together to celebrate the many cultures, traditions, and stories that make them unique. Way to go Warrenville Park District!

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Did YOU know that this iconic scene from Ferris Bueller's Day Off was filmed at the Glencoe Park District??

06/10/2026

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the brilliance of IAPD member agencies? This is such a cool idea for a 5K Bartlett Park District (Official)!

06/07/2026

What a momentous day to go to the park!

06/05/2026

Take a hike or ride a bike... Tomorrow is ! So this weekend, we're celebrating a few incredible trails throughout our great state. Scroll to learn more...

The Kickapoo Rail Trail is an impressive 24.5 miles of retired railroad corridor that spans from Urbana to the Vermilion County Fairgrounds and Kickapoo State Park, this trail passes through some of the most diverse ecosystems in this part of the state, including woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. (Champaign County Forest Preserve District and Vermilion County Conservation District)

The Jane Addams Trail stretches 17 miles from Tutty’s Crossing Trailhead in downtown Freeport to Wisconsin state line, where it connects to the Badger Trail (a 40-mile trail to Madison, Wisconsin). Weaves through/over 22 bridges—including the 1885 historic Van Buren Bridge! (Freeport Park District)

33 miles of the Millennium Trail are open to hikers, bicyclists and cross-country skiers. The trail surface alternates from gravel to paved along various completed sections of the trail. (Lake County Forest Preserves)

The 50+ mile Constitution Trail (Friends of the Constitution Trail) has been a Bloomington-Normal staple since 1989. Much of the trail follows the old Illinois Central Gulf Railroad right-of-way through the community. It was dedicated and named in celebration of the 200th birthday of the United States. In 2000, the trail was designated a Millennium Trail by the White House Millennium Council. (Town of Normal Parks and Recreation Department)

The first 5.5-mile segment of the 38-mile Sangamon Valley Trail opened in summer 2011 and runs between Centennial Park and Stuart Park in Springfield. The trail follows an abandoned right-of-way of the old St. Louis, Peoria and North Western Railway, which later became part of the Chicago and North Western Railroad. (Springfield Park District)

The 15.5 mile MCT Schoolhouse Trail connects parks, forests, fields, and neighborhoods from Maryville to Granite City—with stops at the Metro East Park and Recreation District and Horseshoe Lake State Park!