Latest reporting from the Community desk.
Community
A family-focused guide to the Naperville Riverwalk covering Centennial Beach, paddleboats, Moser Tower, the new River Sounds floating concert series starting Tuesday, July 7, public art sculptures, free parking, accessibility, and a packed community calendar for the week of July 7–12, 2026.
Community
Transformative Growth Counseling, a Naperville-based nonprofit, has added miniature therapy ponies Oreo and Coco to its clinical team, offering ground-based equine-assisted therapy for children who struggle in traditional settings, with sessions covered by Medicaid, major insurance, or sliding-scale fees.
Community
Naper Settlement's America 250 weekend runs Thursday, July 2, through Saturday, July 4, with a $20 adults-only trivia night, free Gettysburg Day living history, a $15 escape room that's already selling out, and a July 4 campus celebration — here's the full cost and registration breakdown for Naperville families.
Community
The Downtown Naperville Alliance debuts Park After Dark, a free three-night outdoor concert series July 17–19 at Central Park featuring a Paul Simon tribute, 1950s-60s hits, and a soul group, plus kids' activities and restaurant picnic packs.
Community
The Freedom Ruck March returns to Naperville's Riverwalk Grand Pavilion on Saturday, July 4, at 8 a.m., offering a 4-mile weighted-pack walk that raises funds for Naperville Responds for Veterans' home-repair mission, followed by a Birthday Bash Block Party at the Judd Kendall VFW.
Community
The DuPage Foundation awarded $1,335,160 to 71 nonprofits in its largest-ever spring Community Impact grant cycle, with five Naperville organizations receiving funding for services ranging from youth housing to senior day care. Fall cycle applications are due Friday, September 4.
Community
The Naperville Park District's two free summer entertainment series — Concerts in Your Park and Children's Lunch Hour Entertainment — continue through late July with seven upcoming performances at neighborhood parks, starting Sunday, June 28 with Brass on Fire at Ashwood Park.
Community
The Naperville Park District is challenging residents to visit at least three of 15 local parks between Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 19, as part of the statewide Unplug Illinois campaign, with a $25 gift card prize for participants who complete the check-in form.
Community
Naper Settlement opens its 13-acre historic campus on Saturday, July 4, for an America 250 celebration included with general admission (free for Naperville residents), followed by the Naperville Municipal Band at 7:30 p.m. and free fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at Frontier Sports Complex.
Community
A new NCC Athletics feature profiles three international student-athletes from Brazil, the Netherlands, and Italy who are competing and finding community at North Central College, which now enrolls more than 150 international students from over 50 countries.
Community
Logan White, a 30-year-old Neuqua Valley High School alumna and daughter of Naperville City Councilman Benny White, rang the Nasdaq closing bell on Tuesday, June 16, alongside LinkedIn's Black Inclusion Group colleagues to commemorate Juneteenth.
Community
The Naperville Heritage Society is hosting a fundraiser at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams on Thursday, July 16, where 25% of sales from 2–5 p.m. go to the nonprofit that operates Naper Settlement.
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