Old Mill Park Offers Oasis, Right Along the State Street Bridge

Sometimes a park is hiding in plain site.

That’s somewhat the case with Old Mill Park, essentially right at the Fox River, just west of Route 25, on State Street. It’s next to . 

Many people could be forgiven for thinking it’s simply an extension of , on the other side of State Street and accessible from Old Mill Park by heading under the State Street bridge; or perhaps of Bennett Park, also along the river, but just north of Old Mill Park.

According to the Geneva Park District, Old Mill Park takes in a mere 1.2 acres. Fishing is allowed there (makes sense, as it IS along the river!), plus picnicking, with a small gazebo for shelter and ambiance, and walking the biking/hiking trail.

It is the site of the , which burned down in 1971, according to Geneva Patch editor Rick Nagel .

And the real centerpiece of Old Mill Park is the sculpture, made of pieces of ironwork and wheel gears salvaged from mill.

A plaque on the sculpture tells the story: "The 'Mill Flower Sculpture' is made from the main drive shaft, beveled gears and pulleys that transmitted the power from the water turbines to the rest of the operating machinery in the Bennett Mill to produce flour and other mill products on this site."

The park—and the sculpture—are worth a look, either while walking the river trail, heading to the river overlooks to admire the power of the dam, or walking through on the way to Island Park.

No, Old Mill Park doesn’t have the PR of its bigger park district siblings. But it’s an oasis of green—a historical oasis—smack dab in the middle of the city’s center.