BUILDING FOR TODAY PLANNING FOR TOMORROW
2024 Annual Report
U-8 Soccer Field (35YD x 25YD) Outdoor Education The Park District of Oak Park made meaningful strides in planning, facility improvements, and community partnerships Area – ensuring that our parks, programs, and services continue to enrich the lives of residents today and for years to come.
2024 was an exciting year for the Park District of Oak Park. Lacrosse /Soccer Rebound Wall/Archery Area Planning
We completed the final steps of our 10-year Capital Improvement Plan and 5-year Strategic Plan, both of which expired at the end of the year. To prepare for the future, we dedicated much of the year to developing the 2025-2029 Comprehensive and Strategic Master Plan, which will guide the District over the next five years. This process involved hosting input sessions, conducting focus groups, and gathering feedback through quantitative surveys from community members, stakeholders, partners, and staff. Additionally, we performed a thorough analysis of our parks, facilities, programs, and finances. The result is a comprehensive plan that reflects our community’s needs and aspirations and sets a clear path forward.
Facilities In 2024, we held a design contest for the replacement of the 100-year-old Field Center, scheduled for decommissioning by year-end. The winning design, featuring innovative rammed-earth construction and sustainable features, underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship. This new facility will double the capacity of our afterschool program and provide expanded offerings for dance and theater. We eagerly anticipate its opening in 2026. We celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Community Recreation Center (CRC) in May, and by December 2024, 10,000 individuals had memberships to the Center. From the free walking track and youth afterschool program to monthly memberships, about one in five Oak Park residents now utilize the CRC in some capacity. After 59 years of operation, the diving well at Rehm Pool was removed and reimagined to better serve residents
of all ages. The renovated space will feature two water slides leading into a 3.5 feet deep well, a lily-pad crossing, and a current pool for fitness and wellness activities. Scheduled to open in 2025, this exciting addition will bring new opportunities for recreation and engagement to the community.
Partnerships Partnerships continue to play a vital role in expanding our reach and enhancing our services. We are proud to highlight several successful collaborations from 2024:
• District 97: In collaboration with D97, we provided
two free weeks of summer camp for incomeeligible children. Seventy-three youth in grades 1-5 participated in camps ranging from arts and crafts to sports and general day camps. Due to its success, this program will continue in 2025.
• Oak Park Area Arts Council: Through this partnership,
a vibrant mural now adorns the parking lot at the CRC on Madison Street. Designed and installed by youth from the Off the Wall Summer Arts Program, the mural celebrates the history of Madison Street’s motor row and adds a beautiful new feature to the community.
• Oak Park Public Library: To increase access to our
facilities, we partnered with the library to offer free weekly passes to Ridgeland and Rehm Pools, the Cubhouse Indoor Playground, and the Ice Arena. Library cardholders can check out these passes, enabling more community members to enjoy our facilities.
Following a year filled with significant accomplishments, impactful partnerships, and forward-thinking initiatives, the Park District of Oak Park is excited to embark on 2025 with optimism and determination.