Good Templar Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Good Templar Park is a 52-acre park located in Geneva, Illinois.


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Summary

It was established in 1925 by the International Order of Good Templars as a retreat for members to enjoy nature and relaxation. Today, the park is open to the public and offers a variety of recreational activities, including camping, hiking, fishing, and picnicking.

One of the main attractions at Good Templar Park is the historic Tabernacle, which was built in 1891 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Tabernacle is a large, open-air pavilion that can seat up to 4,000 people. It is used for concerts, festivals, and other community events throughout the year.

Other points of interest at Good Templar Park include a fishing pond, a playground, and several hiking trails that wind through the park's woods and fields. The park also has a large campground with sites for both tents and RVs.

Interesting facts about Good Templar Park include the fact that it was the site of the 1931 International Convention of the Good Templars, which drew thousands of visitors from around the world. The park also played a role in the Prohibition era, as the Good Templars were a leading organization in the temperance movement.

The best time of year to visit Good Templar Park is in the summer, when the weather is warm and the park's amenities are in full swing. However, the park is open year-round and offers opportunities for winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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