Rockford Park District

Rockford Park District Helping People Enjoy Life! The Rockford Park District is the third largest park and recreation system in Illinois.

For over 100 years, Rockford Park District has helped people enjoy life. From hitting the links or courts, to enjoying our many beautiful parks, pools, programs, and events – we have provided countless experiences and wonderful memories. The Rockford Park District is the "best" urban park and recreation system in North America, as judged by those we serve.

09/18/2026

🚨Know Before You Glow!🚨
Glow in the Garden is this Friday, Sept. 18, 6-9pm. There is no entry fee to the event.
🚙Parking is available in the main NCG lot, the south auxiliary lot, Symbol lot, and overflow is available at the YMCA to the south.
🚌Parking also available at Sinnissippi Park pickleball courts/maintenance shop and Sinnissippi Golf Course. There will be a shuttle picking up at these locations roughly every 15 minutes.
🚃Trolley Car 36 is shuttling between all riverfront lots. (FREE! But donations are much appreciated!)
🪷Lanterns are available for online pre-purchase until noon Friday. (https://runsignup.com/Race/Store/IL/Rockford/GlowintheGarden5k) Lanterns will be for sale on-site 6-9pm (or while supplies last!) Pre-purchased lanterns can be picked up at Will-Call/Information at the front door of Nicholas Conservatory anytime 6-9pm.
🪩Glow merch and lanterns are for sale under the terrace tent!
🏃FREE kids fun run at 7pm (no registration required, just show up at the glowing pillars on the rec path outside the conservatory!) The kids run will run south on the path towards the glowing arch.
🏃🏾‍♂️Glow 5k starts at 7:30. **5k is SOLD OUT!**
💜Thanks to 5k sponsors Rasmussen University, GreenState Credit Union , Peak Sports Club , Tylers Landscaping Service, and Tommy's Express Car Wash!
⚠️ Please CLEAR the Rec Path for 5k runners and walkers 7-8:30! (And give them a cheer!)
🍹 Cash bar by Disco Drinks Mobile Cocktail Bar
🌮 🌭🍜 Food by Cantina Taco , Bop Bop Food Truck , Cheezy’s Grilled Cheeses , and Tropic Like It’s Hot
✨🕺FREE Family Activities in the gardens include Glow in YOUR Garden Rock Monsters, Face Paint, Glow Golf, Flow Arts, and Just Dance!
🥳We’ve been crossing fingers and toes all week! Rain looks to be holding off until late in the evening.

09/17/2026

Due to equipment issues, the ice rink at Carlson Ice Arena is CLOSED until further notice.

As a result, Frosty Fridays have been postponed until later in the season.

Skating lessons, figure skating programs, and hockey programs will be moved to Riverview Ice House during this time. If you are signed up for these programs, you will be contacted with any time/schedule adjustments.

In addition, we are also offering as many public sessions as we can for public skate, freestyle, and hockey at Riverview Ice House. Please view the calendars below for the most up to date schedules.

tinyurl.com/4z4tekzs

Carlson Ice Arena customer experience and Sapora Playworld will remain open with revised hours.

We appreciate your patience during this time and will provide further updates once available. If you have any questions, please call/text our Customer Experience team at 815-987-8800.

Celebrate the end of summer with Glow in the Garden at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens this Friday, September 18, from 6...
09/16/2026

Celebrate the end of summer with Glow in the Garden at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens this Friday, September 18, from 6–9 PM! 🌟 Enjoy free, family-friendly activities throughout the gardens, plus a kids fun run at 7 PM with no registration required. Glow merchandise and lagoon lanterns will also be available for purchase outside the conservatory while supplies last!

✨ nicholasconservatory.com/glow-in-the-garden

09/15/2026

Built by our community and for our community! Kevin Erwin Memorial Playground at Bloom Park is officially open! 🛝 The new playground was shaped by input from Bloom Elementary students and neighborhood residents across three public meetings.

Working with RPS 205, we developed a design that would improve playground accessibility to students while continuing to serve the surrounding neighborhood. From there, volunteers from Woodward, Inc., Gambino Realtors and across the Park District worked hard to assemble the playground in order to have it ready for the start of the school year!

09/13/2026

Good luck to the Chicago Bears who kick off their season today! 🐻🏈

The Chicago Bears outreach team and Gustavo Silva have been a longstanding partner of the Rockford Park District and have made meaningful investments in our region’s youth. The list is a long one, from providing us turf from the Walter Payton Center at Halas Hall, to helping support a high school girls flag football league that was largely influential in girls flag football becoming a sanctioned high school sport. They have consistently found new ways to be involved and make a difference.

Their support isn’t just from a distance. They show up, are hands-on, and always ready to create opportunities and invest in the Rockford region. We are proud to call them the home team!

09/12/2026

A place and space for residents of all abilities to connect with their community while getting some fitness in! 👟 Gabrielle Torina's 5th Ward Walkers is back this fall at the Clarence Hicks Sports Complex.

The first week will be September 17, 18 & 19 from 6:30–8:30 AM.
👟 Registration: tinyurl.com/3624hszn

Go Rockford / City of Rockford Government

09/11/2026

Thank you, Mark Henderson's Weather Hub, for visiting the farm this past weekend. Fall on the Farm is back with many fall-themed and fun activities for the entire family to enjoy! 🎃🤠

Only two shows remain in the Rockford Jams 2026 season, and both are Saturday nights! 🎵🎸 Sat, Sept. 12: The Heartwrecker...
09/10/2026

Only two shows remain in the Rockford Jams 2026 season, and both are Saturday nights! 🎵

🎸 Sat, Sept. 12: The Heartwreckers | Longshot
🎸 Sat, Sept. 19: YYNOT | Luke Callen

Address

401 S. Main Street
Rockford, IL
61101

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