Deerpath Park
Amenities
- 3 retention ponds/lakes
- 4 barbeque grills
- 3 baseball/softball diamonds
- 1.5 mile lighted walking/bike path
- Cross country skiing allowed
- Fishing allowed
- ADA inclusion swing
- Open field/play area
- 2 parking lots
- 1 picnic shelter with restroom & grill
- 3 playgrounds: 2-5, 5-12, Kids’ Castle
- 3 restrooms
- 1 soccer field
- 2 lacrosse fields
- 4 tennis courts
- 6 pickleball courts*
- 1 sand volleyball courts
- 1 batting cage (field 2)
- 1 basketball court
- 3 gazebos
*The pickleball courts are open weekdays, 7 am-9 pm, and weekends 8 am-9 pm.
In 1976, the Deerpath Planned Unit Development encompassed 65 acres. In 1978, when the District received its first Land and Water Conservation Fund Matching Grant (LAWCON) of $120,000, it began development of Deerpath Park in earnest, constructing play areas at the north end of the park, and adding trees and shrubs, a bicycle path and two softball fields, before finishing the grading of the south end of the park. Since then, upgrades, improvements and renovations are ongoing at this park.
Kids’ Castle, a community playground construction project, was physically completed in one week, as a result of countless hours of planning and hard labor volunteered by local residents. Kids Castle opened to the public in June of 1997. Project volunteers raised nearly $140,000 in cash to help finance and construct the “Castle”. Kid’s Castle was replaced in 2016 due to wear and safety conditions. The castle theme remained and a rubber surfacing was installed as well as a large dragon play structure.
Deerpath Park Timeline:
1980: A picnic shelter, 2nd playground, four tennis courts, two softball fields, parking lot and additional landscaping were added.
1981: Additional land was purchased and/or donated.
1992: Wooden playground equipment was replaced.
1993: Handicapped accessible play equipment was added.
1997: Kids Castle opens to the public.
2000: Tennis courts re-surfaced and colored; two more courts, paid for by School District 128.
2003: Warrington entrance opens to the public, new playground, parking lot, picnic shelter and other amenities.
2013: New 5-12 year old playground.
2016: Six new tennis courts were added, two ball field renovations, Kid’s Castle renovated with restroom building.
2021: Two tennis courts were replaced with six pickleball courts.
2023: New 2-5 year old playground
Fishing at Deerpath Park
Hours of operation are 8:00 am to dusk. No boats permitted.
Firethorn Lake – 2.68 acres, deepest point is 12′. Access by vehicle or bike to Deerpath Park’s north parking lot, via Deerpath Drive to Warrington Road, then north by bike or on foot about 150 yards across a grassy field to the lake. The nearest drinking fountain and restrooms are located next to the Warrington Road entrance parking lot, as well as a child’s playground, basketball court and sand volleyball court.
Willow Lake – 2.69 acres, deepest point is 7′. Access by vehicle or bike to Deerpath Park’s north parking lot, via Deerpath Drive to Warrington Road, then south on bike path about 100 yards to the lake. The nearest drinking fountain and restrooms are located next to the Warrington entrance parking lot, as well as a child’s playground, basketball court and volleyball court.
Evergreen Lake – 5.62 acres, deepest point is 12′. Access by car to Deerpath Park’s south parking lot, via Deerpath Drive to Cherokee Road, then south on by bike or on foot on bike path about 100 yards to the lake. The nearest drinking fountain and restrooms are located at the south end of the Cherokee Road entrance tennis courts, as well as a children’s playground (Kid’s Castle), and ball fields.