Batavia Bark Park: the best things in life are FREE!
When the Batavia Bark Park opens for its third season April 1, users will be able to enjoy the park at no cost. After evaluating the past two seasons and looking at similar area facilities, staff made the decision to open the Bark Park up to patrons for free. “We want people to be able to enjoy the Bark Park the same as they would enjoy any of our other parks,” said Jeff Clark, Director of Leisure Services for the Park District. Batavia Park District staff is also planning on offering programs and events at the Bark Park in the near future. “People have expressed an interest in having events such as birthday parties or play dates in the Bark Park,” said Clark.
Patrons will no longer have to show proof of vaccinations for their dogs or wear a permit to enter the Bark Park. The security gates that were located at the park will be removed so users can enter and exit at their leisure. The Bark Park is located at West Main Community Park, 40W101 W. Main St., and includes three acres of fenced-in open space, a wooded area and a shelter that was added last fall.
For more information about the Batavia Bark Park, please call 630-879-5235. |
Director Clark recieves statewide recognition
Michael Clark, Executive Director of the Batavia Park District, was recently selected as this year’s recipient of the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association’s “Fellow Award.” The award is presented to a past or present parks and recreation professional who has shown excellence in promoting the parks and recreation movement on a statewide basis. Clark was presented with the prestigious award in front of colleagues and legislators at the IPRA state conference on Friday, January 29 in Chicago.
The IPRA awards and recognition program is a way to recognize leaders in the parks and recreation field. It is a testament to the long hours and hard work put forth in order to advance the profession. “The award recognizes Mike not just for his sheer volume and quality of work but for his courage and ingenuity to break the mold,“ said Allison Sohr, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Batavia Park District. “He asks the ‘why not’ and ‘what if’ questions during a significant time of change in the park and recreation field, redefining and sculpting the future of this profession.” IPRA is a not-for-profit organization and a public interest group whose members share a common goal—providing quality park and recreation opportunities for the people of Illinois. For more information please contact the Illinois Park & Recreation Association at 630-376-1911 or visit ilipra.org. Photo: Director Clark and wife Donna with the Fellow Award |
Read more about all the activities at the Park District here.
