Right in Our Region
An Itinerary to Play All Day in St. Charles By Katie Gray
ith the price of gas at more than five bucks per gallon and flight cancellations rising, many families will opt to stay closer to home this summer. While expensive trips to far-off places can be exciting, the great news is there are plenty of local, family-friendly places to have fun, cool off, explore nature and make memories this summer. One of those places is Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles. The 47-acre park has a range of amenities, guaranteeing your kids have no reason to whine that they’re bored. Families can spend the whole day – or even a weekend – exploring the park and never run out of things to do. If you’re looking for ideas to plan your trip, here’s a sample itinerary. 9 a.m. – Start with a relaxing walk through the native plant and sensory gardens along the Fox River. Young kids love the log steppers and vine tunnel, and
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everyone can stop to play a quick baggo game. “The garden is right behind the Pottawatomie Community Center,” says Katie Miller, assistant superintendent of recreation at Pottawatomie Community Center. “It’s a neat little walkthrough made up of all native plantings, so you’ll find lots of butterflies and bugs crawling around. Everything is marked so you can identify what’s there.” An all-inclusive playground was installed in 2021 and is designed so that children of all abilities can enjoy its features. It includes a wheelchair swing donated by the St. Charles Kiwanis Club. 11 a.m. – Next, head to the 18-hole River View Miniature Golf Course. “This is a great amenity that reaches all ages,” Miller says. Try Stanley’s Spin-N-Play wheel if you’re up for some extra amusement. You might look silly when you
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Paddleboats on the Fox River
(St. Charles Park District photos)
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putt standing on one foot or with just one hand, but it sure will entertain the kids. Don’t expect the course to be easy; with names like “I Dare You” and “Leap of Faith,” it’s a fun challenge even for a seasoned golfer. 12:30 p.m. – Next, grab lunch from the refreshment stand. Whether you’re craving something savory or sweet, you’ll find it here. “We serve all of the concession favorites, and they’re pretty
