Berens Park is a large park featuring several sports fields, including two synthetic turf fields. The park has a running trail, popular sledding hill, and two playgrounds, one located in the southwest corner of the park and a second located at The Hub.
The Hub has seasonal amenities, including four-station batting cages for softball or baseball, an 18-hole miniature golf course and a 6,000 sq. ft. spray ground. Also included in the center hub is the 3,500 sq. ft. Lee A. Daniels Pavilion, which has a multipurpose room available all year for party rentals, meetings, and corporate events.
Features & Amenities
- Basketball Court
- Batting Cages
- Concession Stand (seasonal)
- Drinking Fountains
- Football Fields
- Lighted Ball Diamonds
- Lighted Tennis Courts
- Mini-Golf
- Picnic Area
- Playgrounds
- Restrooms
- Running Trails
- Sand Volleyball Courts
- Sledding Hill
- Soccer Fields
- Spray Ground
History
The land for Berens Park was acquired from 1963 through 1965, and developed in 1966. Originally referred to as Armitage Avenue Park, the park was renamed in 1967 in honor of Elmhurst Historical Commission founder and local author/historian Helmut Berens. Other parcels of land were purchased from 1976-1978. In May 2002, the Park District purchased MacCormac College, a 25,000 square foot facility, for a recreation, registration and gymnastics center (now known as Wagner Community Center) and an additional seven acres of green space.
Work on The Hub began in fall of 2002. On September 23, 2003, the Elmhurst Park District Board of Park Commissioners approved naming the main pavilion after State Representative Lee A. Daniels, who was instrumental in the success of the Berens Park redevelopment plan. The Hub had its grand opening on June 5, 2004 where the first 300 guests received a souvenir cup filled with coupons good for savings on concessions and activities at the park.
