Gary Hopfinger

Director of Parks and Recreation

1105 Mascoutah Avenue   Map (MapQuest.com)

Belleville, Illinois  62220

Phone: (618) 233-1416

ghopfinger@belleville.net

Documents:
(All documents are in PDF file format)
Download Adobe Reader

Facilities List (51 KB)

Richland Creek Greenway Trail (Bike Path) Map (2.29 MB)
 

Links:

Parks

Recreation

Schedules

Rental Information

Nichols Community Center

Belleville Swimming Pool

Overview:

       On April 3, 1945, the Belleville Parks and Recreation Department began a proud tradition of community service. Created to provide the residents of Belleville with wholesome recreational opportunities regardless of race, creed, sex, age or physical capabilities. The Parks and Recreation Department has dominion over the park lands within the city limits of Belleville, an area covering approximately 14 square miles.   

       The governing body of the Parks and Recreation Department consists of a Director of Parks and Recreation hired to execute the policies and manage the general affairs of a five member board of trustees. Trustees are community members who serve voluntarily for five year terms without compensation. The Director is assisted by two major subordinates, the Superintendent of Parks, who's responsible for parks operation, and the Superintendent of Recreation who oversees all recreational programming including the operation of the Belleville Swimming Pool. The Director and the Superintendents are supported by a staff of dedicated, hard working employees.

       Funded primarily through taxation, the essence of the Parks and Recreation Department's mission is to provide wholesome recreational resources in a fiscally responsible manner without compromising the health and safety of staff members or park users or the health and beauty of the environment.

       Consistent with this mission the Belleville Parks and Recreation Department strives to make all lands and facilities within its jurisdiction great places to visit.

Parks

Belleville Swimming Pool   1100 Hecker Street   Map (MapQuest.com)

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         Belleville's citizens have been flocking to the Belleville Swimming Pool since it opened in 1958.  Located on Hecker Street just off Lebanon Avenue, the pool is an exciting alternative to the "backyard pool", and the perfect place to enjoy those lazy, hazy days of summer!

          Passes are economical and convenient way to enjoy the 50 meter by 22.8 meter (54.8 yards by 25 yards) outdoor pool.   Swim lessons, aerobics, a concession stand, and pool rental for parties are all available Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Bellevue Park    401 Bellevue Park Drive   Map (MapQuest.com)   View Photo Gallery

          Belleville's first park, Bellevue Park, is 27 beautiful acres on the City's Central West End near Memorial Hospital. The park offers a tranquil, 3-acre fishing lake and gentle rolling terrain that also serves as a picturesque site for small outdoor weddings.

          A historic stone lodge, built in the W.P.A. days is the home of Camp Quacker's summer day camp program. The stone lodge is available for rental at various times of the year for family or company functions.  For fitness fanatics there is a double tennis court and one mile fitness trail that meanders throughout the park. Playgrounds and picnic activities are also available for the young at heart.  There's music in the air during the summer evening concert series at the park's Music and Drama Facility. Come on out to West Park Drive and join the toe-tapping good times at this long time Belleville tradition.

Angel of Hope Memorial Wall, Walkway, & Garden Donation Sponsorship (468 KB)

Stone Lodge Rental Form (PDF, 120 KB)
Pavilion Rentals Form (PDF, 136 KB)
 

Cambridge Park   103 North 30th Street      Map (MapQuest.com)    View Photo Gallery

          Cambridge Park is Belleville’s gift to its children.  This park features a playground arena sure to make any child smile.  The park offers several slides, a mini climbing wall, swings, and bridges.  The park even provides the comfort of swinging benches so the parents can relax while they observe their children’s excitement.  Cambridge Park is located in west Belleville at 103 North 30^th Street, just off of west main.

Citizens Park   341 Citizens Park Drive   Map (MapQuest.com)    View Photo Gallery

          A group of individuals had a vision of acquiring land and developing it into a park and giving it to the City for all to enjoy. Thus, Citizens Park, located in the southwest quadrant of the City, forty-five spacious acres of fun and excitement easily accessible from Rt.13. This park is the city of Belleville's largest park. Citizens is a highly recreational park with 2 large lighted softball diamonds and a first class baseball field named for Whitey Herzog, which serves as the home field for the American Legion and Althoff High School Baseball Teams. In addition to the ball diamonds at Citizens Park, the park also offers bicycle ramps for the dare-devils, along with other recreational amenities. Citizens is also a very nice place to have a quiet picnic during lunch. Two modular playgrounds for children and three picnic shelters are available for family picnics.

Pavilion Rentals Form (PDF, 136 KB)

Dawn Heights Mini Park   1004 Wabash Avenue   Map (MapQuest.com)

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          It's been said that "great things come in small packages," and the Dawn Heights Mini-Park proves the point. This mini-park is designed for maximum use by neighborhood children. Totally fenced to provide protection for the kids and peace of mind for parents, the park has a modular playground structure and an open area for a game of tag. A great place for children to make new friends and have hours of fun, the mini-park is located on Wabash Avenue at Klee Street, just off Mascoutah Avenue.

Downtown Square   Main Street & Illinois Street   Map (MapQuest.com)   

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          Belleville’s Downtown Square is truly the city’s focal point.  This location is home to most festivals, parades, and concerts throughout the year.  The square also features the Veteran’s Memorial Monument honoring America’s bravest soldiers in the major wars of the twentieth century.  The square is also illuminated by the peaceful colors and sounds of the Memorial Fountain.

East End Park   501 Forest Avenue   Map (MapQuest.com)    View Photo Gallery

          In the evenings after work, school, or dinner grab a partner and head to the lighted tennis courts, where you can have a rousing set of tennis that won't have to be called because of darkness. You can watch the children on the playground next to the tennis courts. East End has horseshoe courts and an area large enough for a softball game. You can reach East End Park from E. Main St. at Forest Avenue or from Mascoutah Avenue at E. McKinley.

Ever & Anon Park   416 East Main Street   Map (MapQuest.com)    View Photo Gallery

          Every Saturday morning you can hear the ring of the market bell throughout the summer months where you can find the farmers market offering the freshest in homegrown fruits and vegetables up for sale. This quaint little park is located on East Main Street and Mascoutah Avenue in beautiful downtown Belleville. The beautiful gazebo with the rose garden back drop is an excellent place to hold an outdoor wedding. Reservations for such events are handled through the parks and recreation office, give them a call today!

Pavilion Rentals Form (PDF, 136 KB)
 

Gas Lite Park   127 East Main Street   Map (MapQuest.com)    View Photo Gallery

          Gas Lite Park is the perfect opportunity to take a break from a day of shopping and enjoy your lunch outdoors on a beautiful day.  During summer evenings you can find hear the beats of a drum circle in the heart of Belleville’s Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment District.  This park is also home to the Belleville Main Street Organization Office.

Hough Park   417 North 3rd Street   Map (MapQuest.com)    View Photo Gallery

          Located on the north side of West "C" St. between North 3rd and 4th St, Hough Park is the site of both Annual Belleville School picnics and the Annual Belleville Labor Day picnic. Part of the Richland Creek Greenway trail and Sculpture walk cuts through the western and northern sections of the park.  A large hexagon shaped shelter with brick patios in the center of the park serves as its main focal point and is excellent for group events.  A modular playground and horseshoe courts are adjacent to the shelter for a friendly game of ringers. Hough Park is Belleville's "Picnic Headquarters!”
 

Pavilion Rentals Form (PDF, 136 KB)
 

Jaycee's Park   750 West “H” Street   Map (MapQuest.com)

          The Belleville Jaycees acquired 17 acres of inner city green space for future park development with the help of a grant the City received from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This park sports three soccer fields and plans are for a nature walk to be added in the near future.

Laderman Park   1105 Mascoutah Avenue   Map (MapQuest.com)    View Photo Gallery

          Laderman Park offers 22 acres of excitement! Two lighted softball diamonds, a lighted soccer field, volleyball courts, horseshoe courts, basketball court, picnic shelters, and modular playground equipment for children are all-available for family enjoyment.  A one-mile walking trail with fitness stations provides a fantastic opportunity to achieve flexibility, strength, cardiovascular strength as well as mental health. Thickly wooded areas of the park provide a home to many squirrels and a variety of birds. Laderman is home to the Belleville Parks and Recreation administrative offices, located at 1105 Mascoutah Ave. adjacent to Walnut Hill Cemetery.
 

Pavilion Rentals Form (PDF, 136 KB)
 

Nichols Community Center   515 East "D" Street   Map (MapQuest.com)

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          Any city the size of Belleville has a definite Need for a multi-use facility to meet the indoor recreational needs of its citizens.  The Nichols Community Center at 515 East "D" Street easily fulfills that need for Belleville.  Classrooms, meeting rooms, instructional rooms, and a gymnasium are all available for rental.          

          Aerobics and yoga classes offer an affordable alternative to expensive health clubs.  The Nichols Community Center also serves as the location of the Parks & Recreation's Alphabet Academy.   This versatile facility has something for everyone!

Nichols Center Program Guide - Fall 2007 (1.7 MB)

North End Park   1204 North Douglas Avenue   Map (MapQuest.com)

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          North End Park is located just off N. Illinois St. and Douglas Avenue on the northern edge of town. This park presents the perfect location to spend a quiet lunch break. Other features include soccer field, playground and horseshoe courts. North End is the northern end of the Richland Creek Greenway trial that connects to the Metro-Link Bike trail.

Optimist Park   510 North 3rd Street   Map (MapQuest.com)    View Photo Gallery
 

          Optimist Park is located just across 3rd St. from Hough Park and continues to the corner of 2nd and "F&