Island Park, a unique blend of three islands in the Fox River and an open area on the east bank, was rededicated as Clark Island Recreation Area in June 2007.

In August 1915, Frederick H. Beach donated Clark’s Islands to Batavia Township as the nucleus for a park system. In return, the Aurora, Elgin & Chicago Railroad donated land west of River Street, now the home of the Samuel E. Blackard Skate and Bike Park and other amenities. The islands were named for William Clark, who operated an east-side quarry.

The City of Batavia first adorned Christmas Tree Island, now the northern tip of the central island, in December 1931.

Beginning in 1934, the Illinois Division of Waterways developed Batavia’s Island Park with funds from the Civil Works Administration and the Illinois Emergency Relief Commission. Improvements included three suspension footbridges connecting the islands to both sides of the river; a limestone pavilion; and a new landscape. Batavia Women’s Relief Corps dedicated the flagpole in November 1935. The completion of Island Park inspired new efforts in Batavia to clean the Fox River.

LaVerne “Babe” Woodard Memorial Park opened on Clark Island in 1957 as a Little League field. The original eastern bridge was replaced in 1993; a fourth bridge was added and the original western bridge replaced in 2006.

Batavia’s Island Park was transferred to the City of Batavia in June 1945 and is now, since May 1972, part of Batavia Park District.