Our Story

Park Ridge History

Shortly after the city of Park Ridge was incorporated in 1910, it was advertised as "A Restoring Place of Health and Vigor, The Recreation Place of the Tired and Worn Out.”

So, it’s appropriate that just four years later, the Park Ridge Park District was established — and has been a vital part of life in the community ever since.

2014 marked the 100th Anniversary of the Park Ridge Park District. For generations we provided exceptional recreation and leisure opportunities for the community.

Mission

Park Ridge Park District's mission is to enhance Park Ridge’s quality of life by providing park and recreation opportunities for all residents while being environmentally and fiscally responsible.

100 Years of Recreation

2023

531 Forestview Opens

23 December 2023

531 Forestview opens to the public as Wildwood Nature Center

529 Forestview Renamed

23 December 2023

529 Forestview is renamed Wildwood Program Center

Oakton Batting Cages Closure

03 September 2023

Oakton Batting Cages permanently close

2022

Oakton Park and Facilities Improvements

08 November 2022

Park Ridge residents pass referendum for improvements at Oakton Park and Facilities

Demo Inhalt

01 January 2022

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2021

Community Gardens

05 May 2021

Community Gardens open at Hinkley Park

Nature Classroom Opens

01 January 2021

Outdoor Nature Classroom opens at Maine Park Leisure Center

2020

531 Forestview

01 January 2020

Park District acquires property at 531 Forestview

2017

Maine Park Leisure Center

01 January 2017

Maine Park Leisure Center undergoes significant renovation to expand recreation rooms and offices

2016

Prospect Park

28 May 2016

Prospect Park opens to the public

2015

Senior Center

06 June 2015

Park Ridge Senior Center is renamed Centennial Activity Center, and S.T.A.R. (Seniors Together at Recreation) Membership is created

Community Center

06 June 2015

Community Center is renamed Centennial Fitness Center

2014

100th Anniversary

29 June 2014

Park Ridge Park District celebrates its 100th Anniversary

Centennial Aquatic Center

14 June 2014

Centennial Aquatic Center opens to the public

2013

Oak Tree Playground

01 September 2013

The Oak Tree Playground at Maine Park opens

Youth Campus

09 April 2013

Park Ridge residents pass referendum to purchase and develop Youth Campus (later renamed Prospect Park)

2011

Oakton Pool Closes

01 January 2011

Oakton Pool closes

2008

Little Red House Purchased

01 January 2008

The Little Red House at 10 S. Western was purchased

2006

Batting Cages Open

01 January 2006

The Oakton Batting Cages open

Property Purchased at Oakton Park

01 January 2006

2620 Oakton property, adjacent to Oakton Sports Complex, is purchased

2004

Hinkley Reservoir

01 January 2004

Hinkley reservoir groundbreaking

2002

Skate Park Opens

01 January 2002

Skate Park opens at Hinkley Park

Observation Deck

01 January 2002

Sam Biardo's observation deck is dedicated

2000

Prairie Restoration

01 January 2000

Wildwood Prairie restoration begins

1999

Paws Park Opens

01 January 1999

Paws Park opens to the public at Oakton Park

Senior Center Renovation

01 January 1999

Senior Center is renovated

1998

Hinkley Pool Re-Opens

01 June 1998

Hinkley Pool grand re-opening

Wildwood Nature Center Re-Opens

01 January 1998

Wildwood Nature Center Grand Re-Opening

1995

National Diving Competition

18 August 1995

U.S. Masters National Outdoor Invitational Diving Championships are held at Oakton Pool

1992

Community Center Opens

01 January 1992

1988

Driving Range Opens

01 April 1988

Oakton Driving Range opens to the public

1986

Wildwood Nature Center Opens

01 January 1986

Wildwood Nature Center opens to the public

1983

Gallery & Library Donated

01 January 1983

Eugene Romeo Gallery & Library donated to the Park District

1979

Park Ridge Park District Changes its Name

01 January 1979

Park Ridge Park District changes its name to Park Ridge Recreation and Park District

1976

West Park Changes Name

01 January 1976

West Park Changes Name to Centennial Park

Jaycee Park

01 January 1976

Jaycee Park was dedicated

1972

Olympic Trials

01 January 1972

Olympic Trials held at Oakton Sports Complex

1969

Recreation Center Opens

01 January 1969

South Park Recreation Center opens

1968

North Park Acquired

01 January 1968

North Park acquired by the City of Park Ridge

Washington Park Renamed

01 January 1968

Washington Park Renamed Rotary Park

Woodland Park Purchased

01 January 1968

Woodland Park Purchased for $125,000

1966

Oakton Park Purchased

01 January 1966

Oakton Park purchased for $462,500

1959

Southeast Park Purchased

01 January 1959

Southeast Park purchased for $54,864

1958

Senior Citizen Program

01 January 1958

Senior Citizen program begins

1956

Northeast Park Purchased

01 January 1956

Northeast Park purchased for $48,863

Southwest Park Purchased

01 January 1956

Southwest Park purchased for $66,820

Northwest Park Purchased

01 January 1956

Northwest Park purchased for $97,000

1954

Maine Park District Annexed

01 January 1954

Maine Park District annexed to Park Ridge Park District

West Park pool and Field House

01 January 1954

West Park pool and field house built

1952

West Park Purchased

01 January 1952

West Park purchased for $48,250

Playground Parks Renamed

01 January 1952

Playground Parks renamed Hinkley Field

1949

Football Clinics Begin

01 January 1949

First football clinics begin

Summer Concert at Hodges Park

01 January 1949

First summer concert held at Hodges Park

1948

Youth Softball Leagues and Baseball Clinics

01 January 1948

First youth 12" & 16" softball leagues and baseball clinics begin

Red Cross swim Lessons

01 January 1948

First Red Cross swim lessons begin

Outdoor Ice Rinks Open

01 January 1948

First outdoor rinks at South Park, Hinkley Field, and Northeast Park open

1947

Washington Park Purchased

01 January 1947

Washington Park (Rotary Park) purchased for $1,200

1946

Basketball League Begins

01 January 1946

First basketball league begins

1944

Recreation Director

01 January 1944

First Recreation Director hired

1940

WPA Excavates Earth

01 January 1940

Works Progress Administration (WPA) excavates earth from Maine Park lagoons

1937

Maine Park Purchased

01 January 1937

Maine Park purchased by Maine Park District for $16,000

1936

South Park Purchased

01 January 1936

South Park purchased for $27,300

1929

Hinkley Pool

01 January 1929

Hinkley Pool opens

1928

Playground Park (Hinkley Field) Purchased

01 January 1928

Remaining 8 acres of Playground Park (Hinkley Field) purchased for $319,000

1926

Playground Park Approved for Sale

01 January 1926

Park Ridge Playground Stockholders approve sale of Playground Park (Hinkley Field)

1923

Cumberland Park Purchased

01 January 1923

Cumberland Park purchased for $14,400

1914

Hodges Park

01 January 1914

Hodges Park acquired

Park Ridge Park District

01 January 1914

June 29, Park Ridge Park District is created