Edwardsville Illinois home relocation and real estate

Recreation

Parks

All parks and park facilities are provided for the general public on a first-come, first-served policy. Often times, however, there are scheduled games or community events that require the reservation of a park or facility. Residents of the City of Edwardsville, who pay taxes to support properties or programs offered by the Parks and Recreation Department, are given preference in the matter of reserving facilities or registering for programs. Out-of-City persons who reside in the Edwardsville School District are also allowed to reserve facilities and register for programs, but at a slightly higher, non-resident rate. Each program has its own fee schedule, which covers the cost of that particular program, and said fees are handled through team or individual registration.

In order for any group, organization, or person(s) to reserve park space or facilities, a detailed letter of request must be submitted to the Parks and Recreation Office no later than four weeks prior to the requested reservation date. Information detailing what park, type of event, dates, and times needed, must be included in your letter. Once received, the Parks and Recreation Department staff will review your request, and assist you in the application process. There is a basic reservation fee of $50.00 per date, to reserve any park or facility. Additional fees apply if electricity, field preparation, lighting, or other services are required. Park permit applications are available in the Parks and Recreation Office. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on park property without proper application and special written permission from the Parks and Recreation Department and Board.

Large community events also require special permission from the Park Board, and/or the Mayor & City Council. Such events shall be considered on a case by case basis, after careful consideration by local officials.

City Park

2.088 acres, it is the City’s most centrally located park. It is bordered by Park, Kansas, Buchanan, and Vandalia Streets, and is the site of the Edwardsville Public Library. Facilities, include; the Cleon Etzkorn bandstand, where municipal band concerts are held during the summer, park benches, the Madison County Centennial Monument, and the beautiful new park fountain, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bearden. This park is considered a community park in that, a number of large community festivals and events are conducted each year at the site.

Esic Park

5.02 acres, presently undeveloped land located in the center of the Esic Subdivision, just off Esic Drive. Development into a community park is currently being considered.

Winston Brown Recreation Complex

10.5 acres, previously known as Lower Hoppe Park, this area was recently renamed and dedicated in honor of the late Winston Brown, long time Park Board Chairman, educator, coach, and City Council member. The site includes; two, lighted softball fields, a children’s playground, concession/restroom building, picnic pavilion, and two, lighted full-court basketball courts, complete with spectator seating. A brick and stone monument now marks the entrance to the park.

Hoppe Park

10.0 acres, is currently the City’s largest developed active community park area. Located on Tower Avenue, in the Northwestern section of the City, it is the home of the Edwardsville Little League baseball program, and the City’s youth and adult softball program. Facilities include; one lighted major league size baseball field, and one lighted elementary size baseball field, one concession/ restroom building, and three playground areas. Little League headquarters is also located in the park.

Watershed Nature Center

40+ acres makes this the outdoor learning center for anyone interested in the science and beauty of nature. Located on Tower Avenue, directly adjacent to Hoppee Park. The City’s former sewage lagoon was transformed into a nature center many with over 3,0000 feet of paved trails, 800 feet of wood walks elevated over wetlands, two observation towers, one observation blind, two lakes, prairies, upland forest, and a 1500 square foot Interpretive Welcome Center building.

Hotz Park

0.2 acres, is the smallest park within the City, and one of the smallest in the state and country. Located at St. Louis and Randle Streets, it holds a huge stone bearing a bronze plaque, commemorating the City’s five resident Governors.

Leclaire Lake Park

5.8 acres, layground area of many Edwardsville families. Although small, it is considered a community park in that people from all of the neighboring communities visit the park to enjoy its beautiful setting. Three playground areas, a bandstand gazebo, a large picnic pavilion, two small picnic shelters, and a handicapped accessible restroom facility, all compliment the major feature, a two acre fishing lake, complete with a lighted fountain, a water fall, and of course, geese and ducks.is located within the historic Leclaire neighborhood.

Leclaire Field

3.3 acres, is located at 701 Hale avenue, adjacent to Troy Road. Completely renovated with all new Little League baseball facilities. In a cooperative effort with the Little League Association, the City recently completed a new, elementary size baseball field, with sprinkler system, electronic scoreboard, new field lighting system, concession / restroom / pressbox building, paved parking lot, new street lighting, sidewalks, flagpoles, grandstand seating, waterfall, and site amenities, which makes this park the focal point of the entire area. Also on this park site is the historic Leclaire Academy building, a 100+ year old school building which is currently undergoing renovation with assistance from a Historic Preservation grant from the State of Illinois.

Lusk Memorial Park

2.8 acres, is the site of the City’s oldest cemetery, and considered to be a passive park. Amenities include; park benches, memorial plaques, and wrought iron fencing at the main entrance. The remains of several of the original headstones are still visible near the entrance of this neighborhood park.

Rotary Park

5 acres, is a small, neighborhood park, located at the end of Hadley Avenue, and bordered on the north by a two-rail wooden fence. Amenities include; picnic tables, barbecue grills, and a drinking fountain.

Springer's Woods Park

10.4 acres, is a wooded nature area that winds through a quiet neighborhood in the central, north end of the City. Besides its natural beauty, a children’s playground, an exercise trail, and two picnic shelters are located with in the park.

Terry Park

3.9 acres, is largely a natural wildlife area, that is located along Terry and Grand Avenues. Laced with walking paths, it is used mostly by neighborhood children walking to and from school.

Tower Park

Is a one-acre, neighborhood park located at 89 Bennington Place. It contains a basketball court and a picnic shelter and barbecue grill. Mainly used as a neighborhood park.

Vadalabene Park

3.75 acres, is the home of the City’s fast-pitch softball program. Located at the northern edge of the City, on Home and Voge Avenues, it contains; two lighted softball fields, and a children’s “tot lot”, picnic pavilion, and two, concession/restroom buildings. With more than 1700 participants in the community utilizing the facility during the summer, we consider this a community park.

Joe Glik Park

42+ acres, is the City’s most recently acquired park property. Purchased through a donation from Mr. Joe Glik, and two, Illinois Department of Natural Resources grants, this park is located east of the Dunlap Lake subdivision, on East Lake Drive. The Edwardsville Parks Board has recently developed a master plan for the park, and has applied for an IDNR grant to initiate development of the first phase of the plan.