History

The years following the pandemic have been defined by resilience, innovation, and transformational growth. A defining achievement of this era was the development of the Community Recreation Center (CRC). After securing significant philanthropic support and breaking ground in 2022, the facility opened in 2023, and within its first year, thousands of residents became members, expanding access to fitness, recreation, and wellness opportunities for people of all ages.

Sustainability remained central to the District’s mission. Investments included additional solar installations, geothermal heating and cooling systems, electric vehicles and equipment, LED lighting upgrades, and innovative water conservation projects. The new Field Center was a particularly unique example of sustainable design, using rammed-earth construction and other environmentally responsible features.

The Park District also completed major park improvements throughout the community, including renovations at Rehm, Barrie, Andersen, and other neighborhood parks, adding inclusive playgrounds, splash pads, fitness equipment, walking trails, and recreational amenities shaped by community input.

National and state recognition continued throughout this period. After being named a National Gold Medal finalist for five consecutive years, the Park District earned the 2025 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. The District also maintained CAPRA accreditation and Illinois Distinguished Accreditation, earned continued recognition for sustainability, financial stewardship, and aquatic safety, and expanded access through financial assistance programs, partnerships, and innovative programming. Today, more than half of Oak Park households participate in Park District programs each year, reflecting the District’s ongoing commitment to creating healthy, active, and connected communities.

The Park District of Oak Park celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012, marking a century of service with community-wide events and the adoption of a new mission: In partnership with the community, we enrich lives by providing meaningful experiences through programs, parks, and facilities. Over the next several years, the Park District invested heavily in its parks and facilities. Major projects included the opening of the Gymnastics and Recreation Center (2013) and the newly renovated Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex (2014), along with extensive improvements to neighborhood parks including Lindberg, Maple, Euclid, Fox, Longfellow, Carroll, Stevenson, Wenonah, Randolph, and Rehm. New amenities such as walking loops, playgrounds, athletic fields, pickleball courts, and fitness stations expanded recreational opportunities across the community. The Oak Park Conservatory also saw significant enhancements, including the creation of the Elsie Jacobson Children’s Garden and sustainability-focused improvements.

This period was also defined by national recognition. In 2014, the Park District earned Illinois Distinguished Accreditation, followed by CAPRA accreditation and the prestigious National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in 2015. Throughout the decade, the District continued to receive accolades for innovation, sustainability, financial stewardship, and environmental leadership, including LEED certifications, multiple Green Practice Awards, and national recognition for its parks and facilities.

Sustainability became a hallmark of the Park District’s work, with the installation of solar arrays, water conservation systems, and other environmentally responsible infrastructure across multiple facilities. More than $5 million in state grants supported park improvements, while strategic planning efforts and community partnerships helped guide future investments, including the early planning for a new Community Recreation Center.

In 2020, despite the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Park District quickly adapted by launching virtual programming, online registration and shopping, curbside services, and innovative recreational opportunities that kept the community connected. The year also marked the beginning of the Community Recreation Center design process and continued investments in park renovations, accessibility, and sustainability.

For many years the Park District and Village Playground Commission operated side by side in serving the recreation needs of Oak Park residents when, in 1980, a new intergovernmental agreement merged the Recreation Department with the Park District. In 1990 the Park District became the sole provider of government-sponsored parks and recreation in Oak Park. At that time the Park District assumed the operation and maintenance of the Village-owned recreation centers.

In the late 1990’s, Commonwealth Edison Co. and Nicor Gas Inc., notified the Park District that a former manufactured gas plant was located below ground surface at Barrie Park. This site became enrolled in the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Voluntary Site Remediation Program. Park clean-up commenced in 2000, the largest project of its kind, and restoration of the park was completed in fall 2005.

Since 2000, the Park District Board and Staff have been focused on park planning and renewal. The voters of Oak Park successfully passed a referendum in April 2005, providing much needed funding to “Renew Our Parks.” Seventeen park site master plans have been completed since that time and the final park site plan for Stevenson Park will be finalized in 2011. Nine park renovation projects have been completed and the renovation of Taylor Park is currently underway in summer 2011. Improvements to Mills Park and Cheney Mansion are slated to begin in fall 2011. The restoration of the Scoville Park World War I Monument was completed in fall 2010 and a rededication of the “Peace Triumphant” Monument was attended by hundreds of residents on Sunday, November 7, 2010. Major renovations have also been made to the Oak Park Conservatory including the addition of the Rubinstein Memorial Garden which was officially opened on July 9, 2011. Over $1.6 million in grant monies have been secured since the passing of the referendum to support the Park District’s park renovation efforts.

In 2006, the Village transferred the titles of five of the seven recreation centers to the Park District and a 99-year use lease for the two remaining centers has been established due to underground water reservoirs located on these properties.

For many years the Park District and Village Playground Commission operated side by side in serving the recreation needs of Oak Park residents when, in 1980, a new intergovernmental agreement merged the Recreation Department with the Park District. In 1990 the Park District became the sole provider of government-sponsored parks and recreation in Oak Park. At that time the Park District assumed the operation and maintenance of the Village-owned recreation centers.

In the late 1990’s, Commonwealth Edison Co. and Nicor Gas Inc., notified the Park District that a former manufactured gas plant was located below ground surface at Barrie Park. This site became enrolled in the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Voluntary Site Remediation Program. Park clean-up commenced in 2000, the largest project of its kind, and restoration of the park was completed in fall 2005.

Since 2000, the Park District Board and Staff have been focused on park planning and renewal. The voters of Oak Park successfully passed a referendum in April 2005, providing much needed funding to “Renew Our Parks.” Seventeen park site master plans have been completed since that time and the final park site plan for Stevenson Park will be finalized in 2011. Nine park renovation projects have been completed and the renovation of Taylor Park is currently underway in summer 2011. Improvements to Mills Park and Cheney Mansion are slated to begin in fall 2011. The restoration of the Scoville Park World War I Monument was completed in fall 2010 and a rededication of the “Peace Triumphant” Monument was attended by hundreds of residents on Sunday, November 7, 2010. Major renovations have also been made to the Oak Park Conservatory including the addition of the Rubinstein Memorial Garden which was officially opened on July 9, 2011. Over $1.6 million in grant monies have been secured since the passing of the referendum to support the Park District’s park renovation efforts.

In 2006, the Village transferred the titles of five of the seven recreation centers to the Park District and a 99-year use lease for the two remaining centers has been established due to underground water reservoirs located on these properties.

In 1918 a “Small Parks Commission” was appointed by the Village Board to ensure that Oak Park children had a place to “enjoy and practice organized outdoor sports.” They became the Oak Park Playground Board in 1920 and began to levy a tax in 1921 to “equip, conduct and maintain playgrounds.” This Board went on to purchase land for playgrounds and eventually built neighborhood centers, named after prominent children’s authors, where organized recreation programs were provided. At the National Recreation Congress in October 1926, Oak Park won national recognition for programs such as the “Boys’ Playground Band”, a “Shelter House Design Contest” won by Oak Parker John S. Van Bergen, “Murals Contest”, “Junior Art Museum”, “Library on Wheels”, as well as playground landscaping and beautification. Mr. Van Bergen designed many of the neighborhood recreation centers built by the Playground Commission.