Value to our Community
Impacting the Quality of Life in Our Community
Our mission is in partnership with the community, to enrich lives by providing meaningful experiences through programs, parks, and facilities. Keep scrolling to understand how the Park District fulfills this mission daily and brings the benefits of parks and leisure to the Oak Park community!
Improving Health & Happiness
Improving Health & Happiness
From parks that promote exercise, to providing space for families and friends to play together, the Park District is a place for thriving.
Protecting Our Environment
Protecting Our Environment
The Park District is at the forefront of sustainable practices, prioritizing energy efficient and environmentally-friendly practices in our facilities, parks, and programs.
Connecting Our Community
Connecting Our Community
Parks are an anchor of strong community, where people of all backgrounds and ages can enjoy their benefits.
Preserving History
Preserving History
The Park District owns and operates three historic properties, sharing their distinctive charm and history with the community through accessible tours and programs.
Stimulating Local Economy
Stimulating Local Economy
Parks, trails, and playgrounds are some of the most important community amenities requested by new homebuyers, and boost the value of homes in their vicinity.
Leading the Field
Leading the Field
The Park District is regularly recognized on a state and national level for excellence in park and recreation services.
Maximizing Tax Dollars
Maximizing Tax Dollars
The Park District stewards tax dollars by fulfilling community needs through high-quality services and seeking responsible, creative financial options.
Supporting Tourism
Supporting Tourism
With nationally-recognized events and locations, like the Frank Lloyd Wright Races and the Oak Park Conservatory, the Park District draws a wide pool of visitors.
Improving Health & Happiness
From parks that promote exercise, to providing space for families and friends to play together, the Park District is a place for thriving.
- 97% of people report some feelings of inclusion or belong at their park and recreation spaces.*
- In Oak Park, 100% of residents live within a 10-minute walking distance of a park, enabling people across the town to get outside, get active, and play!
- Exposure to nature can reduce stress, promote relaxation, and boost focus. That’s why we continue to grow and care for our urban forest of over 2,500 trees!
- The Community Recreation Center was built as a hub for Oak Park residents to gather to improve not just physical health, but social, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Over 9,000 members take advantage of the walking track, gymnasium, esports lounge, fitness center, and Mental Health Board.
Connecting Our Community
Parks are an anchor of strong community, where people of all backgrounds and ages can enjoy their benefits.
- 91% of people agree that parks and recreation is an important service provided by their local government.*
- 98% of Oak Park residents visited a park or facility within the past year.**
- The Park District of Oak Park owns and operates 18 parks, 7 park recreation centers, 1 Active Adult center, 3 historic properties, 2 outdoor swimming pools, 1 indoor ice rink, 1 gymnastics center, 1 environment education center, and 1 Community Recreation Center.
- The Park District provides over 8,000 programs and special events annually.
- The Park District hosts over 20 free community events each year, engaging over 10,000 residents.
- Scholarship and Childcare Discounts enable all residents to access Park District offerings.
Stimulating Local Economy
Parks, trails, and playgrounds are some of the most important community amenities requested by new homebuyers, and boost the value of homes in their vicinity.
- 86% of people say proximity to park and recreation facilities is important when choosing a place to live.*
- 100% of Oak Park homes are within a 10-minute walking distance of a park, increasing local home value and making Oak Park a highly desirable place to live. Â
- The Park District is the largest employer of youth in the Oak Park area, equipping teens with key skills to lead productive careers.
Maximizing Tax Dollars
The Park District stewards tax dollars by fulfilling community needs through high-quality services and seeking responsible, creative financial options.
- 92% of people indicated that it is valuable for local and state governments to sufficiently fund parks and recreation to ensure that every community member has access to amenities, infrastructure, and programming.*
- The Park District uses a cost recovery tool to determine how to subsidize programs according to community need.
- The Park District has secured millions in grant dollars to improve our parks and facilities.
- Partnership with other government organizations, private foundations, community organizations, and local business allows the Park District to seamlessly provide additional services and amenities to residents.
- The Parks Foundation, the philanthropic partner of the Park District, initiates capital campaigns to raise funding for facilities, scholarships, and more.
Protecting Our Environment
The Park District is at the forefront of sustainable practices, prioritizing energy efficient and environmentally-friendly practices in our facilities, parks, and programs.
- Our biennial Sustainability Plan outlines goals, initiatives, and programs to implement that maintain and further the Park District’s sustainability commitments. Regular investment in sustainable resources has led to hundreds of thousands of dollars saved annually.
- An employee-directed Sustainability Committee and citizen-directed Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee contribute toward the enactment of sustainability goals and programs.
- The Park District has installed renewable energy systems such as geothermal and solar on twelve facilities and counting.
- All Park District parks and facilities have native plantings as part of their landscaping, reducing labor costs and improving food sources for insects, pollinators, and birds.
- All landscaping tools are fully electric, and the Park District continues to add to its electric and hybrid vehicle fleet.
- The Community Recreation Center is a ILFI Net Zero certified building.
Preserving History
The Park District owns and operates three historic properties, sharing their distinctive charm and history with the community through accessible tours and programs.
- Pleasant Home has been named a National Historic Landmark.
- The Oak Park Conservatory and Scoville Park are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Cheney Mansion is a local historic landmark.
Leading the Field
The Park District is regularly recognized on a state and national level for excellence in park and recreation services.
- The Park District has been a recipient of the Gold Medal Finalist Award for four years running, the most prestigious award in the parks and recreation field.
- The Park District is an Illinois Distinguished Agency and is accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), ensuring our organization meets and exceeds national standards.Â
- The Park District is annually recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association for excellence in financial reporting and budgeting.Â
- The Park District has received numerous awards for sustainability efforts, including the Illinois Association of Park District’s Best Green Practices award for nine years in a row.Â
Supporting Tourism
With nationally-recognized events and locations, like the Frank Lloyd Wright Races and the Oak Park Conservatory, the Park District draws a wide pool of visitors.
- The Frank Lloyd Wright Races draw visitors from across the world. At the 2024 races, 19 states and 2 countries were represented.
- The Oak Park Conservatory hosts 40,000+ visitors every year.
*According to a 2024 study by the National Recreation and Park Association.
**According to a 2023 survey by the Park District of Oak Park.
