page_title: Freeport, Illinois
section_title: Parks and recreation
hierarchical_section_title: Freeport, Illinois / Parks and recreation
caption_attribution_description: Lincoln the Debater Statue, Taylor Park, Freeport, Illinois, USA.
context_page_description: Freeport is the county seat and largest city of Stephenson County, Illinois. The population was 25,638 at the 2010 census, and the mayor of Freeport is Jodi Miller, elected in 2017. Freeport is known for hosting the second Lincoln-Douglas debate of 1858, and as "Pretzel City, USA", due to a popular local German bakery known for its pretzels in the 1850s. Freeport High School's mascot is the Pretzel to honor this unique heritage.
context_section_description: Krape Park was awarded "Outstanding Multi-use Facility" award by the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association. Heavily wooded Krape Park features a waterfall that tumbles down from a high limestone bluff. Visitors can ride paddle boats, play mini golf, disc golf, or play on one of the three playground areas.
  Bidwell Park a 2-acre (8,100 m²) park presented by the heirs of Orlando B. Bidwell, features a small shelter with restrooms, a softball field, and a playground.
  Knowlton Park, a 1-acre (4,000 m²) park presented by the descendants of Dexter A. Knowlton to mark the 100th anniversary of his arrival to Freeport, features a bronze tablet and tall black maple trees to shade benches and play equipment.
  Read Park features the Read Park Family Aquatic Center and a skate park. One of the larger parks in Freeport, it also features a large pavilion, basketball courts, children's playground, shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, and softball fields. It is also home to the newly added Little Cubs Field.
  Oakdale Nature Preserve has over 133 acres (0.54 km²) of forests, streams and restored prairies including more than four miles (6 km) of trails as well as a 1/3-mile hard-packed accessible trail. It includes a lodge, an auditorium and a nature center.
  Taylor Park, a 74-acre (0.30 km²) park acquired in 1911, features three lighted softball fields, concession stand, basketball courts, picnic shelter and Abraham Lincoln statue. This statue, located in the southwest section of the park, was sculpted in 1928–29 by Leonard Crunelle. Its dedication on August 27, 1929, was attended by many notable guests, and was covered by newspapers across the country.
  Wilbur Park, a 1-acre (4,000 m²) park donated by local industrialist W. T. Rawleigh and named after his son (who died during World War I), was deeded over to Freeport Park District on July 13, 1948. The park features landscaped terrain and playground equipment.
caption: Lincoln the Debater by sculptor Leonard Crunelle, in Taylor Park
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