Rockford Park District

10/15/2026

Check out all the fun families are having at Lockwood Park’s Fall on the Farm! 🍂🚜 Join us every weekend from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through November 7 for all your fall favorites, including photo ops, a straw slide, corn maze, wagon rides and visits with the farm animals at Sarver Children’s Farm. Admission is free, with optional paid activities available!

10/14/2026

The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) held its annual “Best of the Best” Awards Gala on Friday, October 9, recognizing those who advance parks, recreation, and conservation.

Schmeling Construction Company received the “Best Friend of IL Parks” award for donating their time and talent to build Home Base Sports Fields at Lindberg Park in Loves Park!

Home Base Sports Fields provides a permanent home for All Stars Baseball and Buddy Baseball, giving every athlete an equal opportunity to play, learn, compete, make friends, and feel like they belong.

10/13/2026

10/10/2026

🎃 Mark your calendar! Join Atwood Center staff for Halloween festivities on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5–7:30 pm! Stroll along a lighted path featuring spooky stations and candy giveaways. Be sure to wear your Halloween costume and bring a bag for treats!

The cost for Ghoulish Gatherings is $5 per child. Tickets are available on the Atwood website!

10/09/2026

Frosty Fridays is back tonight! 🥶⛸️

📆 Every Friday through May 2027
📍 Carlson Ice Arena
⏰ 7–9 PM
🎟️ $10 admission, including skate rental!

10/09/2026

💀 🌸 This November 6 and 7, experience a colorful and meaningful celebration at Nicholas Conservatory, inspired by the traditions of Día de los Mu***os.

On Friday, November 6, join us for Noche de las Calaveras, a special evening for adults ages 21 and older, featuring music, food vendors, and a cash bar.

Then on Saturday, November 7, bring the whole family to Nicholas at Night: Día de los Mu***os, with music, dancing, art, activities, and fun for all ages.

10/08/2026

As part of our Equine Assisted Learning program, students from both RPS 205 and Galapagos Rockford Charter School visited Lockwood Park earlier this week, with a special guest appearance by Steve Shannon, our new Community Engagement Specialist for the Rockford Park District!

As the students participated in our pony trail walks, they first learned about mindfulness and leadership to bond with the ponies as they guided them along the trail. This allows our students a unique opportunity to utilize their social and emotional skills through co-regulation with the ponies. Horses and ponies are receptive and nonjudgmental toward the students’ emotional states, giving students an opportunity to work through and improve their social and emotional skills and overall well-being throughout the hike.

Our Equine-Assisted Learning and Services (EAL/EAS) are offered year-round in individual and group settings. EAL and EAS opportunities benefit individuals, families, community groups, schools and organizations, corporate entities, and more!

The Perks Family Equine Center is funded in part through the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board ( ), supported by the voter-approved half-cent sales tax dedicated to expanding access to mental health resources in our community.

10/07/2026

Fall is here! Here are a few ways to enjoy the season around the Rockford Park District:

🍂 Walk, hike or bike 75+ miles of paths and trails as the leaves start to change. The Rock River Rec. Path and Atwood Park are a few community favorites!
🍂 Fall programming has begun, including ice programs, flag football and fall softball leagues, to name a few!
🍂 Visit our three Canine Corners dog parks!
🍂 Fall on the Farm at Lockwood Park returns as the ultimate family fall tradition, including wagon rides, straw slides and our Sarver Children’s Farm.
🍂 Fall Golf Rockford rates are here, so get in those last few swings of the season!

We know we didn’t name everything! What’s your favorite way to enjoy fall at the Park District?

10/06/2026

For more than 20 years, Domingos En El Parque has embraced and elevated Latino culture throughout the Rockford region, most recently at the new Levings Unity Pavilion. Thank you to each and every sponsor who has helped keep this celebration free and create a space where our community can come together each summer.

More national recognition for Rockford’s Latino culture. El Tiempo Latino featured Rockford among U.S. destinations where Latino culture helps shape the visitor experience, spotlighting more than 20 years of Domingos En El Parque and the city’s Día de los Mu***os celebration.

It is another opportunity to share the traditions and celebrations that continue to bring Rockford’s communities together.

10/02/2026

Peter Dunn shares how tournament weekends at Rockford Park District sports facilities impact his local business, Twisted Crypt Haunted House, by bringing in busloads of visiting athletes from around the country.