Types of Parks
Neighborhood Parks
Neighborhood parks are the smallest component of the Naperville Park District's Open Space System. Typically, neighborhood parks are developed for both active and passive recreation, and they are designed to serve the residents who live within walking distance of the park.
There are over 70 neighborhood parks in the Naperville Park District, totaling over 500 acres. The average size of a neighborhood park in the Naperville Park District is approximately 7.15 acres.
Community Parks
Community parks are larger than neighborhood parks, and serve a broader purpose and population. They serve the community as a whole, and strive to preserve a unique natural landscape. Because of its size, a community park can provide a wider range of activities than a neighborhood park. Community parks account for almost 570 acres — about 1/3 of all open space — in the Naperville Park District. There are 17 community parks in the Naperville Park District, with more to come.
Sports Complexes
The Naperville Park District's sports complexes consolidate athletic fields and associated facilities at sites strategically located throughout the park district. Unlike a community park that helps preserve our natural landscapes, the sports complex is designed specifically for ball sports and recreation. The four sports complexes operated by the Naperville Park District — Nike Park, DuPage River Sports Park, Frontier Sports Complex, and Knoch Park — account for over 180 acres of recreational space.
Greenways
Greenways are areas of land that allow for uninterrupted and safe pedestrian movement between parks, emphasizing harmony with the natural environment.
Preservation Areas
Preservation areas include wetlands and protected areas that are set aside for the protection of significant natural resources.
Future Parks
Thanks to the City of Naperville's land dedication ordinance, new developments are required to donate park land to the Naperville Park District. Although the City of Naperville administers the ordinance, the Naperville Park District actively selects future park sites and oversees the site's development to ensure it meets park district specifications.
