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Get to Know: Yorkville!

Exploring the towns of Macaroni KID Yorkville - Geneva - St. Charles.

By Brigette Schroeder - Publisher/Editor - Macaroni KID Yorkville - Geneva - St. Charles April 24, 2023

Get to Know: Yorkville!

Yorkville is a charming city located in Kendall County, Illinois, approximately 60 miles southwest of Chicago. Here are some interesting things about Yorkville:

1.     History: Yorkville was founded in 1836 and named after the city of York in England. The city was originally settled by German immigrants and has a rich history.

2.     Fox River: The Fox River flows through the heart of Yorkville, providing a beautiful backdrop for outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and, whitewater rafting as well as scenic bike rides and walks along the riverfront trails.

3.     Raging Waves Waterpark: One of the biggest attractions in Yorkville is the Raging Waves Waterpark, which is Illinois' largest outdoor water park. The park features over 40 water rides and attractions, including a lazy river, wave pool, and thrilling water slides.

4.     Marge Cline Whitewater Course: The Marge Cline Whitewater Course is a man-made whitewater rapids attraction located on the Fox River in Yorkville. The course is designed for kayaking and rafting, and it's a popular destination for adventure seekers.

5.     Hometown Days Festival: Every September, Yorkville hosts the annual Yorkville Hometown Days Festival, which features a parade, live music, food vendors, carnival rides, and a craft fair.

6.     Parks and Recreation: Yorkville boasts over 35 parks and recreation areas. The Parks and Rec Dept. is also active in hosting several special events throughout the year for the enjoyment of Yorkville residents and surrounding communities. They pride themselves in providing events that entertain the entire family at little to no cost. The special events range from festivals, live music nights, park open houses, 5K runs, and more!  For more information on any of these events, please view their special events page.

7.     Rich Education: Yorkville is part of the Yorkville Community Unit School District 115, which serves the city and its surrounding areas. The district is known for its high-quality education and has been recognized for academic excellence at both the state and national levels.

8.     Yorkville Public Library: The Yorkville Public Library is a modern and spacious facility that offers a wide variety of resources, including books, DVDs, digital media, and access to online databases. The library also hosts events and programs for all ages, including story times, book clubs, and technology classes.

9.     Yorkville's Food Scene: Yorkville is also known for its amazing food scene. The City boasts a large bounty of great restaurants ... many of which are family-owned establishments. From steak houses to coffee and wine bars to burger joints to hot dog carts in the park to amazing Mexican food to ice cream on the riverfront, Yorkville truly has something for everyone's tastes. Many also offer beautiful outdoor eating areas and live music in spring, summer, and fall months.

10.   Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area: Yorkville is actually home to one of Illinois' beautiful state parks. A pool of clear bubbling water which sparkles like silver on sunny days provides the basis for the name of Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area. Even on extremely cold days, this pool does not freeze, and visitors marvel at the bordering beds of watercress. Majestic oaks and prairie grasslands provide a panorama of natural beauty to park visitors. The Fox River runs through this picturesque area, which is also home to several small man-made lakes. A natural prairie restoration project gives visitors a feeling of the original landscape with native wildflowers, songbirds, waterfowl and upland game. Picnicking, fishing and hiking are popular pastimes in summer, with ice fishing, sledding, ice skating and cross-country ski trails available for the winter sports lover. For relaxing, exercising or just enjoying nature, Silver Springs is the perfect getaway location.

Overall, Yorkville is a beautiful and vibrant city that offers a wide variety of attractions and amenities for residents and visitors alike. To learn more about Yorkville and what it has to offer, visit: https://www.yorkville.il.us/