Will County Parks and Playgrounds: A Family Guide

Will County's park districts maintain hundreds of parks, athletic fields, and recreation facilities spread across dozens of communities. Whether you've got toddlers who need to burn energy or teenagers looking for a basketball court, there's more out here than most residents realize.

Park Districts Worth Knowing

Will County doesn't operate under a single countywide park system. Instead, individual communities run their own park districts, each with its own programming, fees, and facilities. That means the experience varies quite a bit depending on where you live. Here's a breakdown of the major ones.

Joliet Park District

Joliet's park district is the largest in Will County, managing over 50 parks and multiple indoor facilities across the city. They run seasonal programming for every age group, from preschool gymnastics to adult softball leagues. Pilcher Park, with its 640 acres of woodland and a nature center, is their crown jewel for families who want something beyond a standard playground. The district also maintains Inwood Athletic Club, which we'll cover further down.

Plainfield Park District

Plainfield's system has grown fast alongside the village itself. They've invested heavily in newer facilities, and it shows. Their parks tend to be well-maintained with modern playground equipment, paved paths, and clean restroom facilities. Settlers Park is the standout here, but the district has over 40 parks in total. Registration for seasonal programs opens online, and popular sessions fill within days.

Bolingbrook Park District

Bolingbrook runs a tight operation. Their facilities are consistently among the best-maintained in the county, and their aquatic programming draws families from surrounding communities. Hidden Lakes Aquatic Park is the headliner, but Bolingbrook also offers an impressive network of neighborhood parks connected by walking paths. The district's recreation center hosts indoor activities year-round, which matters when Illinois winters drag on.

Channahon Park District

Smaller than the others, but don't overlook it. Channahon's park district punches above its weight with well-designed community parks and affordable programming. Their location near the I&M Canal and DuPage River gives them access to natural areas that larger districts can't match. Community Park on Navajo Drive is popular with families for its playground, walking paths, and open fields. The district also runs a solid summer day camp program that fills quickly each year.

Top Playgrounds for Young Kids

Not all playgrounds are created equal. Some are bare-bones swing sets next to a parking lot, while others feel like miniature adventure parks. These are the ones families actually drive across town to visit.

Splash Pads and Water Play

When July and August hit and temperatures climb past 90, playgrounds become ghost towns. That's when splash pads take over. Will County has a growing number of them, and most are free or included with park district residency.

Splash Pads by Community

• Plainfield: The splash pad at Normantown Park is popular and accessible, with ground-level jets and sprayers suitable for toddlers through grade schoolers.
• Joliet: Several Joliet parks feature splash pad areas, typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Check the Joliet Park District site for current locations and hours.
• Romeoville: The Romeoville Recreation Department runs splash pad facilities that see heavy use on hot weekends. Arrive before noon to avoid the peak crowds.
• New Lenox: The New Lenox Community Park District operates a splash pad that's well-designed for younger children, with timed water features and a shaded parent seating area nearby.

Most splash pads run on timers or motion sensors and don't require standing water, which means no lifeguard requirements. That said, you'll still want to supervise younger kids closely. Wet surfaces get slippery fast.

Aquatic Parks and Pools

For families who want more than a splash pad, Will County's aquatic parks offer full swimming experiences during summer months.

Other communities operate outdoor pools as well. The Joliet Park District, Plainfield Park District, and several neighboring districts run seasonal pools with swim lessons, lap swimming, and open swim hours. Costs vary but tend to be reasonable, especially for residents.

Sports Facilities and Athletic Complexes

Will County's growth over the past two decades brought with it a wave of athletic facility construction. Whether your kids play travel soccer or you just want to shoot hoops on a Saturday, there are solid options.

Outdoor Athletic Fields

Park districts across Will County maintain hundreds of athletic fields. Here's where the major complexes are:

• Joliet: Multiple complexes supporting baseball, softball, soccer, and football. The fields along Caton Farm Road see heavy tournament traffic in spring and fall.
• Plainfield: The park district operates well-lit turf fields and a baseball complex that hosts regional tournaments. Settlers Park also has multi-use fields.
• Bolingbrook: The district's fields are clustered near their recreation center and scattered across neighborhood parks. Soccer and baseball dominate the spring schedule.
• Channahon: Smaller scale but adequate for community leagues. Their fields near Community Park handle most youth sports programming.

Tennis and Pickleball

Pickleball has exploded in Will County, and park districts have scrambled to keep up with demand. Many tennis courts have been restriped for dual use, and some districts have built dedicated pickleball courts. Bolingbrook and Plainfield both added pickleball facilities in the last two years. Courts fill quickly during morning hours, particularly among retirees and the work-from-home crowd.

Trails Inside Parks

Many of Will County's parks include walking and biking trails beyond just the playground area. These aren't the major regional trails like the I&M Canal or Old Plank Road Trail. They're shorter loops within parks that work for families with strollers, dog walkers, or anyone who wants a quick walk without driving to a forest preserve.

• Settlers Park (Plainfield): A paved loop of roughly 1.5 miles through prairie and around the fishing pond.
• Hidden Lakes Park (Bolingbrook): Paved paths connect several park sections and link to neighborhood sidewalks.
• Pilcher Park (Joliet): Unpaved woodland trails ranging from easy walks to longer hikes. Trail maps available at the nature center.
• Community Park (Channahon): A short paved path around open fields and along the park's perimeter. Good for young riders on training wheels.

For longer trail options, take a look at our guide to the best trails in Will County.

Seasonal Considerations

Park usage in Will County follows a predictable cycle, and knowing the rhythm helps you avoid crowds and plan ahead.

Spring (March - May)

Fields thaw, playgrounds dry out, and registration for summer programs opens. This is when you'll want to lock in swim lesson spots and summer camp registrations. Don't wait until May - the popular sessions fill in March. Check our spring events guide for what's happening this season.

Summer (June - August)

Peak season for everything. Pools and aquatic parks open. Splash pads run daily. Sports leagues fill evening schedules. Weekday mornings are the best time for playground visits with young kids, since the equipment gets baking hot by early afternoon.

Fall (September - November)

Crowds thin out, and the weather is ideal for trail walks and playground visits. Soccer and football dominate the athletic fields. It's an underrated time to explore parks you haven't been to before.

Winter (December - February)

Outdoor options shrink, but indoor facilities like Inwood Athletic Club stay busy. Sled hills at Settlers Park and other locations get use after snowfalls. Some park districts flood sections of parks for ice skating when temperatures cooperate.

Getting the Most From Your Park District

A few practical suggestions that experienced Will County parents already know:

• Sign up for email lists. Every park district sends program guides and registration reminders. You'll miss deadlines without them.
• Check reciprocal agreements. Some park districts have arrangements with neighboring districts that let residents access programs at reduced non-resident rates.
• Use the parks in off-peak hours. Saturday mornings at popular playgrounds can feel chaotic. Weekday late afternoons or Sunday mornings are calmer.
• Attend park district board meetings. They're public, and they're where decisions about new facilities and programming get made. If you want a voice in how your parks develop, this is where to use it.
• Look into volunteer opportunities. Many districts need coaches, event volunteers, and trail maintenance help. It's a good way to connect with your community while getting your kids involved.