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Des Plaines Park District history
Des Plaines Park District company history timeline
On January 25, 1919, when Des Plaines was a farming community, the citizens voted overwhelmingly to create a park district.
Rand Park was already one of the most popular recreational sites in 1935 when the first Softball Fields were opened.
The first tennis courts at Rand Park were installed in 1936, and those too are as popular as ever.
Planning, development and construction took almost four years, and in February of 1940 the building opened to the public with a Fireman’s Ball.
The most important purchase of all was made in 1959, when the district bought the property at Touhy Avenue and Lee Street from the S.J. Groves Construction Co.
Developing Lake Park included creating one of the largest man-made lakes in the area, which was dedicated on May 31, 1963 and named for Park Board Attorney Frank Opeka.
The original Memorial Pavilion at Lake Park, developed with private funds, was completed in June of 1975.
On August 11, 1976 the Des Plaines Community Senior Center (DPCSC) was born.
In December of 1978 the Park District purchased Maple Elementary School, on Birch Street from School District 62, for $385,000.
Around 1980, the organization’s need for program space increased exponentially as the participant base grew.
The grand opening of both Prairie Lakes and the adjacent Mountain View Mine Adventure Mini-Golf, in August of 1992, brought unique recreational activities to Des Plaines, and both facilities have been expanded and improved over the last decade.
Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center opened to rave reviews in June of 1996, completing the renovation of the original Rand Park Pool.
In September of 2000, the Park District purchased one of its most significant assets: the Golf Center Des Plaines.
In 2003, American Superstores (parent company of Osco Drug) announced the closing of their store located at Northwest Highway and Mount Prospect Road.
On July 18, 2004, the current Lake Park Memorial Pavilion was dedicated.
That building is now the Administrative & Leisure Center, home to the Des Plaines Teen Center (dedicated in October of 2004), the Des Plaines School of Dance, the Leisure Center Health Club, and Creative Corners Preschool, as well as the administrative offices of the district.
In March of 2005, the grand re-opening of Mountain View Adventure Center showcased the brand new Skate Park, BMX Bike Park and Batting Cages.
In June 2012, the Park District officially opened the North Lake Park area, at Lee and Howard Streets, on land that was purchased from the nearby church.
Agendas and Minutes 2013
Agendas and Minutes 2014
Agendas and Minutes 2015
Agendas and Minutes 2016
Agendas and Minutes 2017
Agendas and Minutes 2018
Agendas and Minutes 2019
On August 29, 2020 the Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center officially opened.
On October 30, 2020 the DPParks Interactive Mobile App was launched to connect patrons in real time to updates, news, events and promotions across the Park District.
Agendas and Minutes 2020
The Des Planes Park District purchased the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1177 Howard Avenue on May 5, 2021.
Agendas and Minutes 2021
In 2021 the Park District introduced the “Connecting People, Neighborhoods, and Communities” Campaign focused on strengthening the foundation of the Des Plaines Community.
Agendas and Minutes 2022
Rate how well Des Plaines Park District lives up to its initial vision.
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Des Plaines Park District competitors
| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankfort Community Care Home | 1972 | $5.0M | 30 | - |
| Five Points Washington | 2007 | $5.0M | 50 | 10 |
| APS | 2011 | $1.1M | 24 | 112 |
| Black Mountain Home for Children | 1904 | $4.4M | 2 | 12 |
| Rescue.co (Flare) | 2004 | $9.7M | 18 | - |
| Marple Township EMS | 1951 | $1.7M | 2 | - |
| Mattoon Area Family Ymca | 1982 | $1.6M | 45 | - |
| Martinsville Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness | 2005 | $5.4M | 30 | 4 |
| River Valley Resources Inc | 1990 | $1.1M | 50 | - |
| LaGrange County Community Foundation | 1991 | $10.0M | 5 | - |
Des Plaines Park District history FAQs
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