Phillips Park (Aurora, Illinois) facts for kids
Phillips Park is a big park in Aurora, Illinois. It covers over 325 acres, which is like 250 football fields! Inside the park, you'll find the Phillips Park Zoo. The city of Aurora helps manage the park, working with the Fox Valley Park District.
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How Phillips Park Began
Travis Phillips was an important person in Aurora. He was a merchant and even served as the city's mayor. He loved the area very much. After he passed away, his will said that $24,000 should be used to buy land for a park. This park would then be given to the city of Aurora.
On November 21, 1899, 60 acres of land were bought for the park. This land was already a popular spot for family picnics since 1835. Back then, people called it Scharschug's Woods. In the 1870s, it became an entertainment area. When it was first bought, it was called City Park. But most people just called it Phillips Park. In 1902, the city council officially named it Phillips Park.
The Discovery of Mastodon Bones
A very exciting moment happened on March 7, 1934. Workers were digging to create Phillips Park Lake. This project was part of a program called the Civil Works Administration during the Great Depression. During the digging, they found mastodon bones! Mastodons were ancient, elephant-like animals.
Because of this amazing discovery, the lake is still called Mastodon Lake today. The bones have been to different museums over the years. Now, you can see them in the park's visitor center, which was built in 2003.
Park Improvements Over Time
In 1938, more improvements were made to the park. This was done by another program called the Works Progress Administration. They planted new trees and bushes. They also built fireplaces, animal pens, and new cages. Over the years, Phillips Park has grown and added many new fun things to do. It's still a great place for families to visit and enjoy.
Fun Things to Do at Phillips Park
Phillips Park has many attractions for everyone to enjoy.
Phillips Park Aquatic Center
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The Aquatic Center is a water park built in 1991. It has a tube slide and a body slide for bigger kids. There are also two drop-off slides for an exciting splash! For younger children, there's a play pool with a waterfall and water cannons. A small tot slide is perfect for little ones. You can also find a hot tub, a sand play area, and a sand volleyball court. Snacks and drinks are available at the concessions.
Phillips Park Golf Course
The first golf course at Phillips Park was built in the 1920s. It has been improved and updated over the years. The course was redesigned by Greg Martin and reopened in 2001. It's a great place to play a round of golf.
Phillips Park Zoo
The Phillips Park Zoo first opened in 1915. It is still open every day and you can visit for free! It's a wonderful place to see different animals.
Recreational Areas and Activities
The park has many spots to explore. You can see a beautiful waterfall and old World War I cannons. There are also several monuments honoring veterans. For playtime, there's a large, modern playground and a separate one for toddlers. You can have picnics at the picnic pavilions.
If you like sports, there are sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, and horseshoe courts. There's a path perfect for jogging or biking. You can also go fishing from the piers. In winter, you can ice skate on the pond or go sledding down the hill. The park often hosts special events and activities with The Friends of Phillips Park.
Sunken Gardens
The original Sunken Gardens were designed in the 1930s by Ray Moses. These beautiful gardens were rededicated in 2002. You can find them on the east side of the zoo. They are a peaceful place to walk and enjoy nature.
Visitor Center and Mastodon Gallery
The visitor center was built in 2003. Its main purpose is to show off the mastodon bones. These bones were found during the lake digging project in 1934. It's a great place to learn about the park's history and these ancient creatures.
