Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Park District reports record registrations and grant‑backed renovations; new projects planned for 2026
Summary
Holly Cable, director of the St. Charles Park District, reported more than 30,000 program registrations, 100,000 event attendees, and multiple capital projects supported by state grants (including a $700,000 public museum grant for an education building and a $600,000 open‑space grant for Primrose Farm renovations); the district outlined 2026 projects including an 18‑hole disc golf course and East Side Sports Complex upgrades.
Holly Cable, director of the St. Charles Park District, delivered a summary of park programming, volunteer contributions and capital investments at the State of the City.
Cable said the park district logged over 30,000 registrations across about 2,400 programs and drew more than 100,000 attendees to special events last year. She highlighted Norrex Center membership growth (over 3,800 members, 98% retention), increased visitation at the Hickory Nullles Discovery Center after renovations, and seasonal attractions that collectively created more than 150,000 visits to aquatic facilities.
On capital work, Cable noted a $700,000 Illinois public museum grant supported construction of an education building at Primrose Farm, and the Primrose Farm renovation received a $600,000 open‑space land acquisition and development grant to build pickleball courts, an adult ninja course and better parking and accessibility. The park district described multiple 2026 projects: an 18‑hole disc golf course at Prairie Viewpoint Park (weather permitting opening at month’s end), East Side Sports Complex renovations, Harvest Hills Park improvements, and Riverview mini‑golf renovation.
Cable emphasized conservation priorities (over 400 acres of natural areas, two state nature preserves) and volunteer contributions (about 2,000 volunteer hours on plantings and invasive species work). No formal park tax or bond measures were announced at the address; grants and private donations were credited for specific projects.
