Hopkins Shelter

Built in 1935, the Hopkins Shelter has been a fixture in the park for generations. The shelter was renovated in 2008 to include new bathrooms, a new roof, new windows, new kitchen area and family restrooms.

Located in the center of Hopkins Park, the Hopkins Shelter is great for reunions and large family picnics. It is in close proximity to the playground and swimming pool.

Address: 1403 Sycamore Road

Shelter Seating (inside): Comfortably Seats 90 (Fifteen 6' round tables, 120 chairs, plus four 8-foot and two 6-foot rectangular tables)

Enclosed: Yes Kitchen: Yes Bathrooms: Yes Electricity: Yes BBQ Grills: Yes

Playground: Yes Basketball Court: Yes Ball Field: No

Basic rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms and a designated area adjacent to the shelter. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.

Large group rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms, and a designated area adjacent to the shelter to accommodate a larger group. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.

Non-prime rental rates are reduced fees for rentals Monday-Friday. Non-prime dates may also be rented for shorter durations.

Special Events (Hopkins Park Only) Non-profit 501c3 organization fundraisers and events exceeding 150 people are required to submit a Special Event Application. Additional information may be required during the approval process. Prices for these events are individually quoted based on impacts, costs, and involvement of the Park District. Failure to provide necessary information may result in the cancellation of an event. Due to the impact on the Hopkins Park and the shelter, the number of these types of events are limited to eight (8) per year.

An additional CASH security deposit of $100 is required at the time you pick up the key. This deposit is returned to you when you return the key as long as the shelter house and area, inside and outside, is returned to equal or better condition than it was found. If the shelter is found otherwise, the Park District reserves the right to retain all or part of the deposit. Damages in excess of the $100 deposit will be billed to the renter.

The Band Shell at Hopkins Park

The Band Shell, formally named the Dee Palmer Band Shell, is the home of the DeKalb Municipal Band, which is the longest continuously performing band in the country, having been originally formed in 1854. Many special events and seasonal concerts are held at this location throughout the year.

Address: 1403 Sycamore Road

Enclosed: No Kitchen: No Bathrooms: Yes, portable nearby

Electricity: Yes BBQ Grills: Yes, nearby

Playground: Yes Basketball Court: Yes, nearby

Tennis/Pickleball Courts: Yes, nearby

Lions Shelter

Located on West Taylor Street, Lions Shelter offers a private setting for picnics and gatherings. There is plenty of open space and a playground in the front of the park.

Address: 700 W. Taylor Street

Shelter Seating (inside): Comfortably Seats 72 (Twelve 6-foot rectangular tables, 100 chairs, plus three 8-foot rectangular tables) 

Enclosed: Yes Kitchen: Yes Bathrooms: Yes

Electricity: Yes BBQ Grills: Yes Playground: Yes

Basketball Court: Half court Ball Field: No Sand Volleyball: Yes

Horseshoe Pits: Yes Bags: Yes

Basic rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms and a designated area adjacent to the shelter. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.

Large group rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms, and a designated area adjacent to the shelter to accommodate a larger group. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.

Non-prime rental rates are reduced fees for rentals Monday-Friday. Non-prime dates may also be rented for shorter durations.

An additional CASH security deposit of $100 is required at the time you pick up the key. This deposit is returned to you when you return the key as long as the shelter house and area, inside and outside, is returned to equal or better condition than it was found. If the shelter is found otherwise, the Park District reserves the right to retain all or part of the deposit. Damages in excess of the $100 deposit will be billed to the renter.

Welsh Shelter

Located on Russell Road, Welsh Shelter is an open air shelter with a playground, basketball courts, pickleball courts, a ball field, seasonal splash pad, chess tables (bring your own pieces), and plenty of open space nearby.

In close proximity to NIU, Welsh shelter is great for small university gatherings and picnics. Please note that the seasonal splash pad is on a timer that runs from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm.

Address: 651 Russell Road

Shelter Capacity: Seating for 46 under shelter

Enclosed: No Kitchen: No Bathrooms: Yes Electricity: Yes

BBQ Grills: Yes Playground: Yes Basketball Courts/Pickleball Courts: Yes

Ball Field: No Splash Pad: Yes

Basic rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms and a designated area adjacent to the shelter. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.

An additional CASH security deposit of $100 is required at the time you pick up the key. This deposit is returned to you when you return the key as long as the shelter house and area, inside and outside, is returned to equal or better condition than it was found. If the shelter is found otherwise, the Park District reserves the right to retain all or part of the deposit. Damages in excess of the $100 deposit will be billed to the renter.

Katz Park Shelter

Located on Dresser Road, Katz Park Shelter is an open air shelter with a playground, ball fields, a dog park, skate park and plenty of open space nearby.

Address: 393 W. Dresser Road

Shelter Capacity: Seating for 75 under shelter Enclosed: No

Kitchen: No Bathrooms: Yes Electricity: Yes BBQ Grills: Yes

Playground: Yes Basketball Court: No

Ball Field: Yes Dog Park: Yes Skate Park: Yes

Basic rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms and a designated area adjacent to the shelter. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.

An additional CASH security deposit of $100 is required at the time you pick up the key. This deposit is returned to you when you return the key as long as the shelter house and area, inside and outside, is returned to equal or better condition than it was found. If the shelter is found otherwise, the Park District reserves the right to retain all or part of the deposit. Damages in excess of the $100 deposit will be billed to the renter.

McCormick Park Shelter

Located on 7th Street, McCormick Shelter is an open air shelter with a playground, ball fields and plenty of open space nearby.

Address: 1700 S. 7th Street

Shelter Capacity: Seating for 25 under shelter

Enclosed: No Kitchen: No Bathrooms: Yes Electricity: Yes

BBQ Grills: Yes Playground: Yes Basketball Court: No

Ball Field: Yes

Basic rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms and a designated area adjacent to the shelter. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.

An additional CASH security deposit of $100 is required at the time you pick up the key. This deposit is returned to you when you return the key as long as the shelter house and area, inside and outside, is returned to equal or better condition than it was found. If the shelter is found otherwise, the Park District reserves the right to retain all or part of the deposit. Damages in excess of the $100 deposit will be billed to the renter.

Rotary Park Shelter

The City of Dekalb created the ponds at Rotary Park for storm water detention purposes in the industrial area between Peace Road and 14^th Street. The area surrounding the pond was maintained as open space for several years by the Park District via a lease agreement with the City in which the Park District maintained the grounds and the City maintained the water. In 1993, the DeKalb Rotary Club approached both the City and the Park District about collaborating to turn this space into a park. Between 1994 and 1999, the various amenities, including 3/5-mile loop path, fishing pier, and open air shelter were added.

Address: 1504 E. State Street

Enclosed: no Kitchen: no Bathrooms: portable toilet on site

Electricity: no BBQ Grill: yes Playground: no Basketball Court: no

Ball Fields: no Fishing Pier: yes

Sweet Park Shelter

Address: 600 E. Roosevelt Street

Enclosed: No Kitchen: No Bathroom: No Electricity: No Playground: No Basketball Court: No Ball Field: No BBQ Grill: Yes

Annie's Woods Shelter

Address: Woodley Avenue & Miller Avenue

Enclosed: No Kitchen: No Bathroom: No Electricity: no, BBQ Grills: Yes Playground: Yes Basketball Court: Yes, plus baggo, foosball, and ping pong (provide your own bags, balls, paddles or rent from District) Ball Field: No