Fox Valley Park District provides outdoor venues ideal for a variety of special events. The Waubonsie Lake Trail and Gilman Trail serve as scenic routes for hosting 5K runs, walk-a-thons, bike races, and more. Groups are welcome to reserve any of our parks for gatherings of all sizes. Special event inquiries may be completed online using the Special Event Interest Form below or at the Cole Center Administration Office, (101 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A formal application will be required, provided the initial inquiry is approved.
Virgil Gilman Trail
Run/walk events are permitted on the non-certified portion of the Fox Valley Park District Virgil Gilman Trail system on a first-come, first-served basis for use from 4:30 to 10:30 a.m. April to November with post-race festivities concluding no later than 11:30 a.m. The site includes use of the parking facilities at Blackberry Farm for event staging along with use of the non-certified course as outlined in the Gilman course map. The District limits the number of events scheduled at this location to no more than two per month in consideration of the general population using this site for recreational purposes.
Waubonsie Lake Trail
Run/walk events are permitted on a first-come, first-served basis for use from 4:30 to 10:30 a.m. April to November. The site includes use of the parking and restroom facilities located at Charles E. Horscheit Park or Waubonsie Lake Park along with use of the certified course outlined in the Waubonsie Lake Trail map (certification code = IL-08075 JW). All activities on or near the Waubonsie Lake Trail must be concluded by 11 a.m. The District limits the number of these events scheduled at this location to no more than two per month in consideration of the general population using this site for recreational purposes.