Author: Erika Jackson

The Decatur Park District’s Tuesday Night Park Runs presented by Staley Credit Union begin June 12 at 6 p.m. at Fairview Park Pavilion #1. A half-mile Tot-Trot, 1-mile Fun Run, and various distances up to six miles are offered. A race & sponsor schedule is available at the DISC. The $1 fee benefits the Staley Strider youth programs. Please click here for more information and a schedule!

2018 marks the 35th year the Decatur Park District and Illinois State Board of Education have partnered to provide free meals at park and school locations across Decatur as part of the Summer Food Service Program. Meals are available free of charge Monday – Friday, June 4 – August 3 for children aged 18 and under. A listing of locations and times appear below. There will be no lunch served on July 4. For more information, call Jamie Gower, Decatur Park District Director of Recreation and Facilities, at 422-5911. To learn more and view the schedule for the Summer Lunch Program, click here!   

The Decatur Park District will host the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Fishing Clinics for youth aged 15 and under at Fairview Park. Session will be held Monday – Friday, June 4 – July 27 from 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 3 p.m. A fishing license is not required but each child must be accompanied by an adult. For more information or to register, call 422-5911.

IDNR Fishing Clinic
Dates: June 4 – July 27
Time: 9 – 11 p.m. and 1 – 3 p.m.
Fee: None
Location: Fairview Park Pavilion #1

The Decatur Airport will host Airport Fun Day on Saturday, June 2 from 8 – 11 a.m. Participants can climb aboard the Park District’s Striker emergency vehicle, check out the Scovill Mobile Zoo and watch a K-9 demonstration. Kids aged 8+ can take a tour of the Air Traffic Control Tower. The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter #274 will offer a pancake breakfast, with fee just $6 for adults and $4 for kids aged 12 and under. The EAA will also offer airplane rides for youth aged 8 – 17. For more information, call 428-2423.

Airport Fun Day
Date: Saturday, June 2
Time: 8 – 11 a.m.
Location: Decatur Airport: Gaitros Aviation Hangar

The Decatur Parks Foundation will host the annual Zoo Open golf outing fundraiser to benefit Scovill Zoo and the Junior Golf Program on Friday, May 18 at Hickory Point Golf Course. Box lunches are offered beginning at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start at 12:15 p.m. Fee is $600 per team of 4. You’ll enjoy a great day of golf, lunch, prizes, music, and an afternoon wrap-up party at 5:30 p.m. To receive a team entry form, contact Jill Applebee at 422-5911.

2018 Zoo Open
Date: Friday, May 18
Time: 11 a.m. – Box Lunch
12:15 p.m. – Shotgun Start
5:30 p.m. – Reception & Prizes
Fee: $600 per team of 4
Location: Hickory Point Golf Course, 727 Weaver Road

Enjoy yoga outdoors with classes led by instructors from the Decatur Park District and area certified instructors. Classes will be held at the Nelson Park Fitness Pavilion and Fairview Park Pavilion #1. Please bring your own mat and water to hydrate. No registration necessary for these free classes. For more information, call 422 – 5911.

Community Yoga at Nelson Park
Dates: May 19, June 16, July 21, and August 18
Time: 9 – 10 a.m.
Fee: Free
Location: Nelson Park Fitness Pavilion

Community Yoga at Fairview Park
Dates: May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, and September 2
Time: 10 – 11:15 a.m.
Fee: Free
Location: Fairview Park Pavilion #1

Dozens of kites will paint the sky during the Decatur Park District’s annual Kite Day on Saturday, April 21 from 1 – 3 p.m. at Sinawik Park. Participants can bring their favorite kite and enjoy an afternoon of fun and relaxation. This annual event is sponsored by the Illinois Association of Park Districts and will be celebrated by park districts statewide.

Decatur Park District Kite Day
Date: Saturday, April 21
Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Location: Sinawik Park, 1715 S. 32nd St.

The Decatur Park District’s Schaub Floral Display Center will hold plant sales on April 27 & 28 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Plants available for purchase are annuals, perennials, succulents, and tropical plants. This fundraiser benefits the Park District’s horticulture department which plants and maintains flower beds in parks across the community. The Schaub Floral Display Center is located at 3415 E. Lost Bridge Road. For more information, call 421-7550.

Overlook Adventure Park, featuring two 18-hole mini golf course, a high ropes course, and batting cages opens for the season on Friday, March 30. Opening day hours from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., weather permitting. Please see below for early and late spring hours. For information about special events, birthday parties, or package rates, call Gabby Cliff at 429-7750.

Early Spring Hours: (March 30 – April 29)

Thursday: 4 – 8 p.m. Friday: 4 – 10 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday: Noon – 8 p.m.

Late Spring Hours: (April 30 – May 24)

Monday – Thursday: 4 – 8 p.m. Friday: 4 – 10 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday: Noon – 8 p.m

The Decatur Park District commissioners voted on March 21, 2018 to approve an agreement with Todd Mason/Beach House Restaurant to assume Food & Beverage operations at the Park District beginning April 1, 2018! For more information, click here!