The Parks and Recreation staff provides the maintenance and management of City facilities including the Municipal Building, parks and open spaces, Elmwood Cemetery, the Sports Complex, and the Beloit Municipal Pool. Additionally, the Parks and Recreation department organizes, plans, and implements all of the City’s youth and adult recreation leagues, classes, and special events. The staff is committed to providing excellent recreational opportunities for all members of our community. In order to help us recognize and serve our growing community needs, please feel free to contact us at anytime to give feedback or recommendations.
Click here for Upcoming Recreation Events and Registration Deadlines.
PARKS & RECREATION ACTIVITY BROCHURES: Click here for our activity brochures.
The Parks Department is responsible for over 73 acres of land throughout the City of Beloit including 4 parks, 6 ball fields and several open spaces. The department is also responsible for the maintenance of several City buildings including the Municipal Building, home to City Hall.
Municipal Building
A historical two-story limestone building located at 2nd Street and Hersey Avenue. This building was constructed in 1938 and is designed as a multi-purpose facility with office space, community rooms and a gymnasium. The building is the site of the City of Beloit Administrative Offices and is sometimes referred to as City Hall. The Municipal Building is also the site of the City Council Meetings, Municipal Court and the Mitchell County Hospital Auxiliary's Economy Shop. The gymnasium is used for recreational and school sponsored sporting events as well as community concerts. There is a large stage and balcony in the gymnasium as well. There are 3 community/meeting rooms which are available for rent by the public.
Beloit Sports Complex
A 27+ acre complex with 6 baseball and softball fields and 3 soccer/football fields. The facility is used by several community groups including the City of Beloit Recreation Department, the local Rotary and Lions Clubs and the Beloit Junior-Senior High School.
Facilities at Beloit Sports Complex:
4 Public Restrooms
2 Concession Stands
2 Batting Cages
Playground
Water Spigots
Chautauqua Park
A 26+ acre multi-use park located south of the river off of State Highway 14. This park houses the Beloit Municipal Pool, tennis courts, a number of picnic shelters and assorted playground equipment. There is also a free span steel foot bridge that crosses the river to additional open space on the north side. The beautiful Solomon River is accessible in several areas throughout the park as it wraps around the entire area and a boat ramp is available for small fishing boats. The Park offers free camping with electric and water hook-ups and a sewer dump station that can be used for up to 10 days in any 60 day period. Chautauqua Park is perhaps most well known for the Chautauqua Isle of Lights Display that fills the park with hundreds of Christmas light displays from Thanksgiving to New Years Day each year.
Facilities at Chautauqua Park:
Beloit Municipal Pool
The White Building - Public Restrooms (open Apr.-Oct.) and a Community room (available for rent by the public)
9 Shelter Houses
Gazebo
18-hole Disc Golf Course
Playground Area
3 Horseshoe Pits
2 Tennis Courts
1 Basketball Court
30 Camper Hook-ups (electric and water)
Sewer Dump Station
2 Memorials (sitting areas)
Boat Ramp
Westside Park
A 4-acre park located just west of Independence Avenue between 3rd and 4th Street. This park has a variety of facilities that make a perfect place for any age to visit.
Facilities at Westside Park:
Public Restrooms
2 Lighted Tennis Courts
2 Basketball Courts
Assorted Playground Equipment
4 Shelter areas with picnic tables
Water spigot
Roadside Park
A 2-acre park located just off State Highway 24 and Walnut Street. Roadside Park is home to The Little Red School House, a local historic landmark which is open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day or by appointment and is run by the Beloit Tourism Committee. For more information or to set-up an appointment please call the Beloit Chamber of Commerce at 785-738-2717. This park is a great spot to take a break from a long journey and enjoy some shade while sipping on a drink from one of the nearby restaurants.
Facilities at Roadside Park:
3 Shelter areas with picnic tables
Trash cans
Water Spigot
Thierolf Park
A 1/3-acre park located just north of the Municipal Building at 2nd & Hersey. This park is a small garden-type park designed for viewing and relaxing. The park has a small gazebo, several limestone benches and a beautiful fountain. Thierolf Park is the site of the yearly Arts in the Park program sponsored by the Beloit Parks and Recreation Department.
Recreation Department
"It is the goal of the Beloit Parks and Recreation Department to provide recreational and leisure opportunities for all
members of our community and the surrounding area."
The Recreation Department, located at 1515 N. Walnut, is responsible for the planning,
organization and implementation of the youth and adult sports leagues, youth instructional classes
and adult continuing education classes. The Department strives to offer new and innovative classes
for infants through seniors in a variety of areas to improve the quality of life of the community.
In the fall of 2007, the Department introduced the Post Rock University; a program of adult
continuing education classes made possible in part through a grant from UFM in Manhattan. The
PRU program partners with many different agencies and businesses in the community to bring more
resources and expertise to the classes and activities offered.
The Department publishes an Activities Brochure in September and March of each year detailing
the upcoming activities for all ages. The brochure is distributed to all residents of Beloit and the
surrounding communities. Additional brochures and/or registration forms may be picked up at the
Parks and Recreation Department or at the Municipal Building. Activity reminders can also be
found in the monthly City Newsletter, in the Beloit Call, or on the City Website.
The Department is assisted by a five-member Recreation Advisory Board. This Board offers
direction and input regarding new or changing programs and acts as a supporting committee for
several grant-funded projects. If you are interested in serving on this Board, please fill out an
application form found in the Document Center and return it to the Municipal Building.
Activities Offered through the Beloit Parks and Recreation Department:
Community Events
Youth Activities (Ages 5 & up)
Valentine’s Day Party
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Pumpkin Splash
Halloween Crafts & Parade
Christmas Swim
Santa’s Storytime
Arbor Day Celebration
Arts in the Park (Fall & Spring)
American Red Cross Babysitting Certification
Park Picassos
Jump, Juggle & Jive
Guard Start
Fishing Clinics
Geocaching
British Soccer Camp
Aquafina/MLB Pitch, Hit & Run
Pepsi/NFL Punt, Pass & Kick
Beloit Area Youth Volleyball Camp
Preschool
(Ages 1-5)
Youth Sports Leagues
(Grades 1-6)
Music & Movement
Teeny Tumblers
Fit for a Princess
Pirate Party
Tiny Creations
Touch a Truck
Fall Flag Football
Fall Youth Volleyball
Basketball
Spring Soccer
Municipal Pool
Originally built in 1937, the Beloit Municipal Pool was funded by the Works Progress
Administration (WPA), a federal program designed in the administration of President Franklin D.
Roosevelt during the Great Depression. The pool site can be found just inside Chautauqua Park,
tucked into a bend of the Solomon River, providing a tranquil atmosphere for lazy summer days.
A beautiful, brick bathhouse for bathing, changing and admissions is located at the entrance of the
facility. Lockers are available for use on the outer wall of the bathhouse and locks may be rented at
the front desk or may be brought from home. A concession stand supplies a variety of goodies
including hot dogs, popcorn, candy and drinks.
The Main Pool is a 50 yd x 25 yd (150ft. x 75ft.) rectangular pool that holds more than 450,000
gallons of water. The shallow, swimming side of the pool slopes from a depth of 3 ft. to a depth of 5ft. The deeper, diving side of the pool slopes to a maximum depth of 9 ft. 6 in. and has a 1-meter
diving board and a Climbing Wall added in 2009. The main attraction at the Municipal Pool is the 3-
story, winding, open-flume slide, that creates a rush of water as each rider shoots out of the bottom
into the 4 ft. area.
The Wading Pool (for those ages 5 and younger) is separated from the Main Pool by a fence and
gate. This pool is 17 ft. in diameter and a maximum of 1 ft. in depth. The Wading Pool is restricted
to swimmers 5 years of age and under and children must be supervised by an adult.
Large trees located both inside and outside the fence provide shade throughout the day. A picnic area
is located in the southeast corner of the facility where patrons can rest at picnic tables as well as grill
their own food on park-provided grills.
For the Pool Schedule and Events please Click HERE.
Cemetery Division
The Cemetery Division of the Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the care and upkeep of the 38-acre *Elmwood Cemetery located at 12th and Poplar. The Cemetery Division sells lots, opens and closes all interments, and assists in the set-up and parking of all services. Additionally, the division opens and closes all interments for St. John's Catholic Cemetery.
Cemetery Fees:
Standard Burial (Opening and Closing): $250
Infant Burial: $100
Cremation: $100
Grave Spaces: $200
Veteran & Spouse Grave Spaces: $0
If you need assistance in locating or purchasing lots, or in setting up any other cemetery services please call Charles Gastley, Cemetery Sexton at 785-738-3427 or 785-738-0319.
The City of Beloit is an active member of the Kansas Municipal Cemetery Network.
