Parks and Recreation

For information, call the Swimming Pool at 815-919-7411 or City Hall at 815-943-6468. The Harvard Swimming Pool is open from June to August. The 7,000 sq. ft. pool is a handicapped accessible zero-depth pool with a capacity for 496 people. Features include a water slide, basketball hoop, and a diving board. Don’t miss the shallow end features (the raindrop, tumble buckets, and the tulip shower). Also available is a picnic area as well as a 5,680 sq. ft bathhouse, and concession stand. Pool passes are available for purchase. The pool is available for during-hour or after-hour pool parties. The pool is located next to Lions Park and Jaycee/McFarlin Field and is accessible via Brown Street and also Galvin Parkway. 

All parks are open from dawn to dusk with the exception of the HERS Fields and the Moose Athletic Field. These parks remain open during games. The sledding hill at Lions Park is open until 10:00 pm during sledding season. Park shelters are available for public use by filling out an application to reserve a shelter. Contact City Hall at 815-943-6468.

MILKY WAY PARK

Milky Way Park is accessible from Lawrence Road via West Route 173 and West Diggins Street. It is the home of Harvard Youth Soccer and holds six soccer fields. It also includes baseball and softball diamonds, 2 football fields, an outdoor fitness center, a pedestrian path, picnic grounds, and a playground. Shelter and restroom facilities are also available. Milky Way Park is the permanent location for Harvard Milk Day grounds.

LIONS PARK

Lions Park is located in the pool complex area accessible from Galvin Parkway off Rte. 173 East and also Brown Street. Lions Park includes the Harvard swimming pool, picnic grounds, and playground equipment for all ages, and a pedestrian path. Two shelters and restroom facilities are also available. A lighted sledding hill is also located in Lions Park. Parking for the sledding hill can be accessed from Harvard Hills Road. Future plans for Lions Park includes cross-country skiing.

PARK POINTE PARK 

Park Pointe Park is accessible from Galvin Parkway via East Route 173. A parking lot is also located off Dewey Street. Park Pointe Park offers a pedestrian path, fishing pier, and bird watching. Future plans include natural prairie and grassland including wildflowers.

NORTHFIELD PARK 

Northfield Park is accessible by Northfield Avenue via Route 14 at the north end of Harvard. It has a playground for small children and restroom facilities it also sports our new tennis courts. Future plans for Northfield Park include picnic grounds, a pedestrian path, and ball fields.

MOOSE ATHLETIC FIELD

Moose Athletic Field is located off West Diggins. It is the home of the Harvard Boys League. The park holds 2 baseball diamonds and a concession stand open during games. Restroom facilities are also available.

MARY D. AYER PARK

Mary D. Ayer Park is located at Park & Washington off Ayer Street and close to Washington School. It includes picnic grounds, basketball courts, and playground equipment.