Villa Park residents enjoy the wonderful amenities of 18 parks including newly renovated grounds at the Iowa Community Center which feature a state-of-the-art skate park, accessible playground, bags and bocce courts, a children’s education garden, native plant area and a gazebo-type shelter.
Villa Park Parks & Recreation operates two outdoor aquatic facilities, Jefferson Pool, 341 N. Harvard and Lufkin Pool, 1000 S. Ardmore, giving residents wonderful aquatic opportunities. In addition, year round classes, programs and events for all ages from early childhood to seniors are available. One all ages event is Life Size Candy Land, which in 2010 received honors as the Outstanding Special Event from the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association and the Illinois Association of Park Districts.
Children and teens participate in arts, educational, aquatic, sports classes and camps. Adults and seniors have a wide variety of choices from van and theater trips to league sports and classes for all interests. Seniors also enjoy monthly get-togethers and a daily drop-in program for cards and socialization. Oktoberfest is a popular family festival held every fall that draws several thousand visitors to Villa Park.
Several free family events are offered annually and include a Family Fishing Derby, Big Rigs and Kids and Movies in the Gym and Movies in the Park. The majority of these activities and events take place at one of two village facilities: the Iowa Community Center, 338 N. Iowa and the Community Recreation Building, 320 E. Wildwood.
“Be sure to take advantage of our top notch programs, great special events and upgraded facilities/parks,” says Greg Gola, director of Parks and Recreation. “Stop by the Iowa Community Center to play baggo, or bring the little ones and enjoy the new playground, complete with a soft, astro turf base. Don’t forget to bring your bags because the games are already in place waiting for you to play.”
In addition to recreation activities, Villa Park Parks & Recreation offers preschool and child care programs, licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on site at the Iowa Community Center.