City Parks

1941 A log cabin was completed at the park.  It was built from cottonwood logs which came from a farm near Ohiowa.  The fireplace was built with ancient glacial drift rocks.

1941 The high school football team used land on the east side of the park as its football field.  Cars parked along the street to the east and on the west were some bleachers.

1944 The City of Geneva purchased a vacant lot across the street from the southeast corner of the city park from Mrs. Laura Donisthorpe to be used as a baseball diamond.

1947 Improvements were made in the log cabin.

1947 A bond issue was approved to build a baseball diamond and install lighting.

1947 A bond issue was approved to build a bandstand.  

1949 Picnic tables and benches were installed near the pump house in the park.

1949 The football field was moved to the baseball park.  It was to run northeast to southwest across the outfield.  The "Ag" boys built rooms under the cleachers for the tams to go into during halftime.  They also put up new goalposts.

1950 After much discussion, it was decided to build the bandstand east and a little north of the log cabin in the city park.  An additional tennis court, a horseshoe pitching court, and additional picnic facilities were added.

1951         In August, the new bandstand was dedicated.  It was named the Paul W. Curtiss Memorial Bandstand.  A new merry-go-round was purchased.  The city council voted to purchase additional trees to plant in the city park.   They were planted east and north of the new bandstand on ground formerly used as a football field.

1955 Modern restrooms were constructed.  A “Jungle Gym” was added to the playground equipment.

1956 The swimming pool had 603 swimmers enrolled in lessons.

1966 A M60A3 tank was placed near the memorial rock in the city park.

1967 Voters passed a bond issue to improve and enlarge the pool and remodel the bathhouse.

1976 Toddler play equipment was installed north of the swimming pool.

1977 A picnic shelter was completed in the park.

1979 Two sunshades were installed at the pool.

1980 The tennis courts were resurfaced.

1985 The city of Geneva purchased a Big Toy Play area for the park.

1986 The concession stand at the ball field was completed.

1989 The swimming pool was renovated. 

1996 New playground equipment was installed in the park and the newly completed tennis courts had new lighting.

1981 Jeff Andrews, Eagle Scout candidate, chose the pond as his project.  He and his troop mates first removed algae from the pond.  Then they built a fishing dock on the southwest corner of the pond.  Then they did some landscaping.

1982 Catfish were added to the pond in preparation for the fishing derby.

1987 A bridge was installed across the pond.

1990 The Geneva Volunteer Fire Department began hosting pancake feeds to fund improvements at the Boy’s Pond and their fishing tournaments.

1998 John Johnson, Eagle Scout Candidate, chose landscaping at the pond as his project.

2020 The Geneva Volunteer Fire Department spearheaded a project to expand the boys pond.  The footprint of the pond was to be increased by 25%.  There was a paved walkway and a new dock was planned.

Cumberland Mini-Park

1987 Cumberland Mini-Park was located at 9th and C Streets in southwest Geneva.  It had playground equipment, a basketball court and a sand box

2008 The mini-park was given a facelift..

Siebert Mini-Park

1984 The Jack Siebert Mini-Park was located at 8th and K Street.  It had a basketball court and playground equipment.  Jack Siebert’s third grade class collected aluminum cans to recycle to raise money for the park.

Q Street Mini-Park

1989 The mini-park was located at 9th and Q Streets.

Schneider Mini-Park

1992 The mini-park was located at 12th and I Streets.