Parks and Recreation

200 West Main Street, Morrison, IL 61270

Nathan Jacobs, Recreational Services Director

(815) 535-1105

njacobs@morrisonil.org

Parks & Recreation Mission Statement:

The City of Morrison Parks & Recreation Department builds community through the delivery of exceptional parks, open spaces, recreation trails, recreational programs, and community services.

Recreational Programs

The Morrison Parks and Recreation Department hosts various youth and adult programming throughout the year.

Spring – Youth Soccer

Summer – MYSB League, Youth T-Ball, High School Softball League, Summer Youth Rec Programming Activities

Fall – Youth Soccer & Flag Football

Winter – Youth Basketball & Wrestling, Table Tennis League, Coed Adult Volleyball

Registration and payment for all Morrison Rec Sports is conducted through Quickscores (www.quickscores.com/morrisonsports) or in-person at Morrison City Hall.

Summer Programming

T-Ball (ages 4-6): Our instructional t-ball program teaches the basic fundamentals of hitting, fielding and throwing in a non-competitive game environment. Registration typically occurs in April/May. Further details and the online registration form can be found HERE on Quickscores.

Baseball/Softball (1st grade – 9th grade): The little league baseball and softball programs for the Morrison area are run by an independent volunteer organization, Morrison Youth Baseball and Softball (MYBS). Registration typically occurs in March/April. Please contact them directly via their Facebook page or website for more information.

Morrison Sports Complex

The Morrison Sports Complex is a multi-field facility located at 315 Bishop Road, Morrison IL 61270. The 35 acre park is open to the public and features beautifully maintained fields consisting of four softball/little league diamonds, one baseball diamond, and a football/soccer field. Also featured are multiple picnic shelters and an extensive walking path. The walking path distance is 1/2 mile along the outer perimeter of the complex.

The Morrison Sports Complex is home to many local teams and organizations. Local programs for t-ball, little league baseball & softball, flag football, jr. tackle football and soccer utilize the complex for both practices, competitions and clinics. Many travel-ball teams also use our fields, as well as the Morrison High School softball and baseball teams.

FIELD RESERVATION INFORMATION

Ballfields at the Morrison Sports Complex are available to be reserved for a multi-field tournament or single-field event.  If your organization is interested, please review and complete the following reservation form:

2023 Morrison Sports Complex Field Reservation Form

In order to secure a date(s), the reserving organization must return this form along with a $50 deposit and proof of insurance ot Morrison City Hall, Attn: Parks and Recreation.  Further explanation and details can be found in the use agreement.

Morrison City Parks

Morrison Sports Complex - 315 Bishop Road

The Morrison Sports Complex is the largest of Morrison’s parks and open to the public.  This multi-field facility is located on the east edge of town at Route 30 and Bishop Road.  The 35 acre park features four beautifully maintained fields consiting of softball/little league diamonds, one baseball diamond, and a football/soccer field.  Also featured are multiple picnic shelters and an extensive walking path.  Walking path distance is 1/2 mile along the outer perimeter paths.

Kelly Park – 300 East High Street

This 3.4 acre park features a professionally designed 9-hole Frisbee golf course, a 1/4 mile walking path, large playground, and picnic shelter. It is located next to Grove Hill Cemetery, just off of East High Street. Tennis and pickleball courts are also located in Kelly Park.  To find them, just follow the path from the parking lot toward the water tower!

French Creek Park – 650 Portland Avenue

Plenty of open space to run and play, French Creek Park is the ideal place for flying a kite, flinging a Frisbee, or stretching out in the grass and watching the sky.  A beautiful 0.85 mile walking path extends around the perimeter of the park, as well as along the banks of the French Creek.  This park also boasts a playground, picnic shelter, and a large parking lot with adjoining basketball hoop.  The Morrison Community Garden is also located in French Creek Park.

Dog Park – 700 North Genesee Street

The Dog Park is located on the north side of town, next to Kiwanis Park.  This newly constructed dog park (2022) has ample space for your furry friends to safely run off-leash.  There are two fenced areas for both small and large dogs, a small pavilion, and multiple benches.  Future additions to the park include a dedicated parking area, walking path around the perimeter of the park, as well as landscaping enhancements.

Interested in “purchasing” a pathway brick in honor of your favorite pet?  Details and donation form can be found here:  Morrison Dog Park Brick Donation Form

Waterworks Park – 503 West Winfield Street

Located on the south side of Morrison, near the County Fairgrounds, this park is 12.4 acres and offers a baseball diamond, playground, picnic shelter, lots of open green space, and parking lots.  In addition, there are also two tennis courts available in Waterworks Park, located on the east end of the park, as well as a 1/4 mile walking path along the lower portion of the park.

During the winter months, Waterworks Park is home to the Morrison Winter Park.  An ice skating rink is constructed on the tennis courts and maintained by local volunteers.

Veteran’s Park and Memorial – 150 Eest High Street

Located near Kelly Park and Grove Hill Cemetery, this is a tranquil spot to consider the sacrifices made by Morrison area veterans.  A small parking area is adjacent to the park, for easy access to the paved walking paths between memorials, along with benches and a shelter near-by.

Kiwanis Park – 700 North Genesee Street

Located on the north side of town, this park has classic playground equipment, a picnic shelter, and many beautiful shade trees. It is also the home of the annual Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt.

Robert A. Millikan Park – 223 West Main Street

Nestled between buildings along Main Street, this pocket park is the perfect spot to have lunch on a beautiful day.  Named for Morrison’s own Robert A. Millikan, winner of the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physics, this park is a quaint spot to sit and watch downtown’s bustling activity.

Picnic Shelters

The City of Morrison has several picnic shelters in many of its parks. No reservations are accepted for the picnic shelters. The public is free to use them on a first come, first serve basis. Please be aware that picnic tables found in the shelters are often used for large community events.