City of Olney, IL - City Parks

City Park Miller's Grove

Alvin Musgrove Park Bird Haven

Kiwanis/Rotary Park Bower Park

Olney City Park
The Olney City Park is located on 55 acres between Illinois Route 130 and N. Ludlow Street, across from Olney Central College. The City park offers a wide variety of recreational activities and facilities. The City Park features 5 covered picnic shelters and several open picnic spots. In addition to covered picnic shelters, the park has an air conditioned Community Building which now has tables and chairs to accommodate 120 people with kitchen and restroom facilities. Reservations for all covered shelters, picnic units and Community Building need to be made by visiting City Hall at 300 S. Whittle, Olney, IL 62450 or call (618) 395-7302. A $60.00 fee is charged for a 4-hour use of the Community Building or $85.00 for the entire day. Covered shelters and picnic units are reserved without charge. The City park also has 6 lighted tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, 5 baseball and 2 softball diamonds, and 4 horseshoe courts along with 2 playgrounds, one for older youth and Kiddie Land for younger children. The Olney City Park is the location for several special events during the year including a 100,000 light Christmas light display. The light display is turned on Thanksgiving weekend and extends through New Year's Day. The Richland County Fair also holds their annual county fair at the park in July. The Olney Arts Council makes the City park home for their annual Fall Festival in September.
Alvin Musgrove Park	Back
Recently, Alvin and Wenonah Musgrove, long time residents of Olney, donated approximately 20 acres of land to the City of Olney to be used at a park. In May of 1997 the Dr. Monte Musgrove Aquatic Center was opened. The Aquatic Center was named after Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove's late son. Future plans for the Alvin Musgrove Park are currently being developed. The City of Olney did receive a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the planting of several trees in the park. These trees were planted during the 1998 season. The most recent addition to the Park is the Wenonah Musgrove Recreation Area which features a playground area, shelter, lighted basketball courts and a soccer field.
Kiwanis/Rotary Park	Back
Kiwanis/Rotary Park is located north of town on East Fork Lake near the boat docks. Kiwanis/Rotary Park has 2 covered picnic shelters, a playground and restrooms. The larger of the two shelters has electrical service available. Boat slips are located on the east side of Kiwanis/Rotary Park for boat parking.
Miller's Grove	Back
Miller's Grove is located on the south side of East Fork Lake near the dam. This park is complete with 3 covered shelters, electricity and restrooms. Miller's Grove has become an excellent location for squirrel watching.
Bird Haven - Robert Ridgway Memorial Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary	Back
Bird Haven is located on the south side of East Fork Lake near Miller's Grove. Robert Ridgway was a naturalist, scientist, artist, and author. Of more than 500 publications, his "Birds of Middle and North America" is the most extensive and his "Color Standards and Color Nomenclature" is the most renowned. He was associated with the Smithsonian Institution for 62 years from age 17 in 1867 when he was appointed zoologist for the Survey of the 40th Parallel until his death at age 79. He was an authority in the field of ornithology. He purchased 18 acres in Olney, Illinois, in 1906. In the 1920's this tract is said to have been second only to a large tract in Japan in the number of species of plants it contained. The Ridgway's built a three-room cottage at Bird Haven, where they spent several summers. They sat on the porch to visit with their friends and to listen to the songs of the birds around them. The porch has been reproduced and stands on the cottage site. Dr. Ridgway's grave is marked by a granite boulder. The bronze plaque, with sculpture of birds, read "Robert Ridgway, 1850-1929". Records show that this sanctuary was visited by persons from 48 states and 14 foreign countries, before most of it was destroyed when East Fork Lake was built.
Bower Park	Back
Bower Park is located in the 300 block of S. Whittle. Recently the Clean and Green Committee rejuvenated the park by thinning the trees, planting grass, making new flower beds, placing picnic tables, repairing the fountain and replacing the lights on the lamp post. Bower Park was originally named Tower Park. In 1880 a 125 foot brick water tower was built on the site. The water tower was demolished in 1941.