The Zone, redesigned Maple Park highlight new River Trails Park District offerings

The big news this year in the River Trails Park District is the renovation and reopening of 550 now known as The Zone, and the dedication of renovated Maple Trails Park on May 5.

The Zone, at 550 Business Center Drive in Kensington Business Center, now has 7,000 square feet of turf in the 12,000-square-foot warehouse portion of the building, allowing the district to increase athletic programming and offer popular programs year-round.

Another addition to The Zone is Parkour, a form of street acrobatics and free running that can be compared to a mix of American Ninja Warrior and military obstacle training courses. Parkour amenities will include a foam pit, slant wall, swing rings, a vertical climbing wall and jump boxes. River Trails is the first park district in Illinois to create a space and a facility around the program.

The Zone will open in late May and summer classes will begin in June. River Trails is looking at using other space in the building to create more multipurpose programs.

The redesign of Maple Trails Park, 871 Feehanville Drive, in the Kensington Business Center features Americans with Disabilities Act compliant playground equipment, walking/cycling paths, gazebo, middle-sized basketball court, caged rail system for futsal with built-in goals, and a volleyball court with artificial turf.