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.
Acquired through a developer donation, this 30-acre property is one of the most biologically diverse parks in our system. Aided by a $300,000 grant, significant development was undertaken on this property. This is the first "program-driven," community-sized park in the District system. This means that this park does not have formal athletic field areas; rather it has been designed to support a wide variety of recreational program areas. The park is home to a playground featuring slides, monkey bars, climbing structures and accessible swings. As with all of our community-size parks, the Hawk's Bluff Park has large picnic shelters available for rent by District residents. Call 630-879-5235 for rental information.
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.
The Lodge at Laurelwood is a cozy, historic facility nestled within beautiful Laurelwood Park along the Fox River and Fox River Trail. The park is a popular spot for fishing and relaxing, and The Lodge can be rented for events and meetings for up to 50 people. The Lodge has a patio overlooking the river, and features a kitchenette and indoor bathrooms.
