Park District Gears Up for Summer: Centennial Beach, Millennium Carillon Opening in May

Last week, Naperville's Centennial Beach was being filled with water, but not in the way park district officials had planned. 

Watch: DuPage River Waterfall Flows into Centennial Beach

Due to heavy storms, water from the DuPage River flooded across the beach's neighboring Riverwalk and cascaded into the empty quarry, creating a rushing waterfall of river water.  

As flood waters subside and the river continues to recede, Naperville Park District officials are now busy cleaning and refilling Centennial Beach in preparation for the 2013 beach season. 

The district expects to open the beach as planned on Saturday, May 25 as well as other summer hot spots in the coming weeks.

Centennial Beach memberships are currently on sale and those who purchase now through May 13 can get a discounted price, according to the park district.

Beach memberships can be renewed online or by mail. New memberships can be purchased at the Naperville Park District's Administration Building at 320 W. Jackson Avenue, or the 95th Street Center at 2244 W. 95th Street.

For membership information, visit www.napervilleparks.org

Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower

Opens: Saturday, May 4

Hours: Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays, with Friday hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) beginning May 24 and continuing through August 16.

The Carillon summer recital series begins Tuesday, June 4 featuring carillonneurs from Naperville, as well as other cities and from the Netherlands, Australia, Denmark and Belgium.

Fee: The fee is $3 for anyone 5 and older.

The Riverwalk Eatery

Opens: Saturday, May 4, the same day that the Millennium Carillon and Visitor Center tours open for the 2013 season.

Hours: The Eatery will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekends only until Memorial Day, May 27; then daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Memorial Day through mid-August. The Eatery is located at 441 Aurora Ave. along the Riverwalk and may be accessed from the Park District Administration Building parking lot, the Centennial Beach parking lot, or from the parking lot at the top of Rotary Hill.

Paddleboats

Opens: Saturday, May 18 

Hours: The hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekends only until Memorial Day, May 27. Then, daily hours will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day through mid-August with the last boat sold at 7 p.m.

Fee: 20 min. ride: $8/boat; 40 min. ride: $10/boat

For more information about Centennial Beach, the Eatery, the Paddleboats or other facilities and programs of the Naperville Park District, visit www.napervilleparks.org.