Trail & Outdoor Activity: Boat/Canoe Launch

Batavia Riverwalk boat playground showing two slides and interactive play equipment.

Batavia Riverwalk

Thu December 18, 2025

Discover the Batavia Riverwalk; a jewel of the Batavia Park District. This Riverwalk is home to the Peg Bond Center and beloved Depot pond.  Many popular events like, Windmill City Festival, Celebration or Lights and summer concert series, River Rhapsody. The Riverwalk has many amenities including; kayak & paddleboat rentals, bike share, fishing area, playground, picnic area, shelter, parking lot and walking trails.  This park was attained in 2010 and was created as a cooperative effort by the Park District, the City of Batavia and a dedicated group of community members. Using primarily volunteer labor, donated material, and services, the walk was created over a six-year period. Extending from the entry plaza at Houston St. and going north along the Depot Pond, the path features a boardwalk leading to the North Point Pavilion, providing a grand view of the river. Following the path around to the east, walkers will encounter the Batavia dam as well as the Riverwalk wildflower sanctuary. In the buildings across the river, windmills were produced from the mid-1800s until the 1940s. Many examples of these mills can be found along the Riverwalk. The walk winds along the east side of the City of Batavia Government Center. At the south end of the Government Center pedestrians and bicyclists can cross a walking bridge to the east side of the river. Once there, they can access the eastern leg of the Fox River Bike Trail.
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Laurelwood Park and Lodge showing boat/canoe launch.

Laurelwood Park

Tue December 16, 2025

Laurelwood Park was once part of a much larger private park owned by the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. The railroad operated the original Laurelwood during the early years of the 20th century. Presently, it is home to The Lodge at Laurelwood (formerly the Batavia Boat Club). This facility has a multi-purpose room with a kitchenette as well as restrooms. The Lodge is used by the District for programs as well as by affiliated and not-for-profit groups for their meetings. With its ample parking the site provides a good opportunity to "park and pedal" on the Fox River Bike Trail that runs through the park. Also featured at this site is a boat launch that provides access to the Fox River.
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Clark Island Recreation Area showing a resident riding their bike at Blackard Skate-n-Bike Park.

Clark Island Recreation Area

Mon December 15, 2025

Clark Island Recreation Area is a unique combination of three islands in the Fox River as well as a large open area on the eastern bank of the river. The bridges that connect the islands join the east and west legs of the Fox River Bike Trail. The site is the home of Woodard Field, a major youth league baseball field located on the largest of the islands, as well as an 11,000-square-foot skate park. There are two parking lots that adjoin the bike trail providing good "Park and Pedal" access. A seasonal rest room facility also is provided at this site. Clark Island Recreation Area was renovated in 2025 in thanks to an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space and Land Development Grant along with a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.
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