neighborhood parks

The Joliet Park District manages more than 50 park sites scattered about the city and the next door Will County Forest Preserve offers miles of excellent trails for biking, hiking, jogging, cross-country skiing and horseback riding.

A fairly new addition to outdoor recreation in Joliet is Splash Station Waterpark (2780 US Route 6, 815-741-7275), which opened in 2002. It's a seasonal attraction that offers a six-lane racing slide, lazy rapids tube float, zero depth pool, sand-covered kiddy play area, all kinds of body slides, and a dining and concessions pavilion. Hot summer days are guaranteed to generate lines, but the good-spirited masses are a welcome indicator of Joliet's rapidly growing popularity. Bird Haven Green House and Conservatory (225 N Gougar Rd) is a relaxing retreat from the daily grind that allows guests to 'visit the tropics' anytime of year. The building was erected nearly a hundred years ago but it continues to be a hotspot for Joliet visitors and school field trips. Floral shows are also held here May through October, so local residents with a green thumb can get ideas for seasonal flower arrangements and garden planters.

When you want to workout, shoot hoops or pump iron, Hartman Recreation Center (511 N Collins St, 815-741-7296) is just the place to go. The gymnasium is available to kids aged 8 to 15 for playing basketball and soccer from 3 - 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It also has a weight room and multi-purpose exercise room, plus a full kitchen to host community functions. Several sports and extracurricular activities are run out of the Hartman Center, so check with their front desk for schedules and restrictions. The Inwood Ice Arena (3000 W Jefferson St, 815-741-7275) is another fun Joliet recreation spot that offers hockey and figure skating programs in addition to public ice times and skate rentals. Whether you are a seasoned pro on the blades or need a helping hand to get around the rink without taking a fall, Inwood is Joliet's number one winter sporting locale (no matter what time of year it is!).

For getting back to nature there's no better place in Joliet than the Pilcher Park Nature Center (2501 Highland Park Dr, 815-741-7277). Trails crisscross the 640-acre grounds, supplying a picturesque spot to ride bicycles or go for wilderness walks. The Nature Center houses tons of native wildlife and provides a great spot to see cool bugs, birds, plants - all the local flora and fauna - in their natural habitat.