Park District Services

Exploration Station® ®
...a children 's museum
Children learn through exploration and discovery at the Exploration Station®. This children 's museum is a magical place where imaginations soar through a multitude of hands-on activities and exhibits. A multi-level medieval castle, grocery store, kid's size emergency room, airplane, ambulance, old fashioned post office and water room are just a few of the exciting interactive exhibits.

Perry Farm Park & Trails
The Perry Farm Park is a dynamic 170 acre recreation area carefully carved in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the state. It features 4.2 miles of fully accessible paved trails that wind through natural prairie, woods and the riverfront of the Kankakee River. Visitors may walk, bike, or roller blade on the
trails. As part of the ongoing preservation of the property, the Park District conducts yearly prairie burns on the property that makes the trails an especially beautiful natural setting. The park is open from sunrise to sunset 365 days of the year. Pets are welcome in the park, but must be kept on a hand-held leash and their waste disposed of properly. Please be considerate of other park visitors you may meet.

Willowhaven Interpretive Center
Made possible by an OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) Grant from the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $400,000, this Center is one you won't want to miss! This unique facility is a gem to see when visiting the Kankakee County area. Located on Whispering Willows Park at 1451 N 4000 E Rd., Kankakee, just off Skyline Road nad North Street, you will find nature inside. The Center is open from March 1 to September 30 annually and closed on Mondays. The exhibits are engaging and the setting is conducive to quiet thought and reflection. The educational value for your children is one you won't be able to measure. The programs offered will encourage the budding biologist, scientist or naturalist. Visit our Program area on our website for more information.

Whispering Willows Park & Trails
Whispering Willows Park and Trails were made possible, in part, by a generous donation of the Roman Smietanski Family, of a portion of the park. The District purchased adjacent property to create this beautiful 131-acre park that includes ponds, overlooks, trails, and is the site of the Wiilowhaven Interpretive Center. The trails are fully accessible and wind through the park grounds. Visitors may walk or bike the trails. The park is open from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. Pets are welcome in the park, but must be kept on a hand-held leash and their waste disposed of properly. Please be considerate of other park visitors you may meet.

Bourbonnais Geologic Area, an Illinois Nature Preserve
The Bourbonnais Geologic Area, locally known as the Indian Caves,is located within the Perry Farm Park along the Kankakee River. The geological area includes the Bourbonnais Creek and ravine and covers approximately 30 acres of land that features a dolomite cliff and a cave community, or a set of caves that lie close together. On September 16, 1996, Governor Jim Edgar
authorized the dedication of the geologic area as an Illinois Nature Preserve to protect it against vandalism and other destructive activities. Although the geologic area is open year round,its public use is limited to walking, exploring and observing nature.

Group Visitor Services
Perry Farm Park offers many fun activities for all ages. Whether you are planning a family picnic or a large group outing,the Park District offers room rentals, hay rides, tents, picnic kits, cross country ski rentals and gazebo reservations at reasonable fees. The Park District also offers a dunk tank.and a bounce house. Dunk tank and bounce house rentals require a Certificate of Insurance naming the BTPD as an additional insured of the policy for the activity/event and verifying additional liability coverage.

Activity applications for rentals and contracts are available at our facilities. Reservations are made on a first come, first pay basis. Some activities are seasonal and are not available all year. Call the Park District office at (815) 933-9905 for more information.

The Living Memorial Program
Through the Living Memorial Program offered by the Park District, an assortment of trees can be planted or adopted at the Perry Farm Park, Turnberry Park or Whispering Willows Park in memory of a loved one or to commemorate an important individual, organization or special event. Memorial trees,once planted,serve as a living remembrance that will also benefit the community for many years to come. Memorials include planting or adopting a tree of your choice and a commemorative plaque at the site.

Applications are available at the Perry Farm House or by calling
the Park District office at (815) 933-9905. More about the Living Memorial Program....

River Valley Special Recreation Association (RVSRA)
In addition to the programs offered through the BTPD, the RVSRA provides specifically designed recreation experiences for individuals with disabilities or special needs. The RVSRA is an association formed through a cooperative agreement between the Bourbonnais Township Park District,Kankakee Valley Park District and Limestone Park District to provide community based Therapeutic Recreation to these individuals.

RVSRA programs center on sports,cultural,environmental and family activities. Stress is placed on social development to help individuals grow socially and appreciate their own value. For specific program offerings and general information, call the RVSRA office at (815)933-7336.

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