Clark Park in Champaign: What Families Can Expect

The newly renovated Clark Park in Champaign continues a legacy of gathering, playing and, of course, trucks

Clark Park has long been the place we like to bring our kids when we want lots of room to play in a quiet neighborhood. In previous years, it boasted a gigantic metal slide, a merry-go-round, a metal-and-wood playhouse, and the park’s most iconic feature: a sandbox full of trucks.

A view of Clark Park before the remodel, taken in 2023.

This Champaign Park District park has new renovations that help bring new life to a well-loved place to play in Chambana.

What is new at Clark Park?

Clark Park now offers a large playground with brand new equipment, a new ADA path, expanded basketball courts, and an updated sandpit.

The largest play structure includes slides, ramps, places to climb, and colorful interactive panels, plus unique elements like a see-through window at the top of the structure, and tree stumps to climb.

Keeping the spirit of Clark Park of the past, it has a small playhouse complete with a mailbox and garden that can be “watered.” This new playhouse is more modern and easily accessible than the house that previously stood at Clark Park.

The zipline swing is a highlight of the park. While not quite as long as the one at Blair Park, it gives enough speed to provide a thrill for adventurous park goers.

Clark Park is a great location to stop with a picnic from one of Chambana’s many delicious food trucks. The new renovations have made park picnics more enjoyable with covered picnic tables alongside a BBQ grill.

The park’s legendary sandpit, renamed “Katie’s Playplace”, now includes a bench, an ADA compliant sand table, two digging devices, and new trucks (plus a box to store them!). These features were made possible in great part due to generous donations from the community to honor the legacy of Katie Parkhill.

What age is this park good for?

All ages could find something to do at Clark Park. Teens can try out the tennis and basketball courts or play catch in the field next to the park.

Preschool and elementary aged kids will find plenty to do. Additionally, the bark chips have been replaced by turf, so even the youngest will love toddling and crawling on a cushioned surface.

It is sure to be a well-loved park for those searching for a mulch-free playground to reduce mud in the wetter times of the year.

One not-yet-walking ChambanaBaby thoroughly explored Clark Park without getting muddy — and we call that a win!

Tips for Parents

Since it’s grand re-opening in November, we’ve visited several times and have seen a port-a-potty present on some occasions, and absent on others. The park’s facilities do include water fountains, which are most likely seasonal.

This park has no parking lot, so you’ll need to find street parking around the perimeter of the park. We’ve always seen ample parking, even when the park is busy.

How do I get to Clark Park?

Clark Park in Champaign: What Families Can Expect

The newly renovated Clark Park in Champaign continues a legacy of gathering, playing and, of course, trucks

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