News | The Park District of Oak Park

2021 Frank Lloyd Wright Races Go Virtual

After much thought and consideration with PDOP staff and the Oak Park Health Department, it is with great disappointment that we announce the cancellation of our in-person Frank Lloyd Wright Races this year.

Aug 05, 2021 05:00 PM

Face Coverings Required Indoors

Per the order issued by the Oak Park Health Department, effective Friday, August 6, 2021, the Park District of Oak Park will require all individuals (patrons and staff), regardless of their vaccination status, to wear a face covering in all indoor public settings. The health department also recommends that "individuals wear a mask outdoors if they are not able to practice social distancing by maintaining at least a six (6) foot distance from other individuals not from the same household."

Community Service Awards

Every year the Park District of Oak Park presents community service awards to organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of parks and recreation in our community.

6.11.2021 Illinois Moves to Phase 5

The State of Illinois has issued guidance for Phase 5 which allows for near-normal operations.

5.14.21: State of Illinois Moves to Bridge Phase

Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health have announced that effective immediately, the State has moved to the Bridge Phase. While the CDC has announced recommendations regarding face-coverings, the State has not changed its guidance and thus face-coverings remain required for both indoor and outdoor activities.

Pleasant_Home_East_Elevation_view_from_Home_Avenue._Photo_by_Darris_LeeHarris

Museum Grant Awarded for Pleasant Home

Park District receives $421,500 Illinois Museum Grant for installation of geothermal system at Pleasant Home.

Park District Earns National Accreditation in Parks and Recreation

Mark of distinction recognizes commitment to highest level of service to the community

Park District Receives State Recognition

5th Straight Year for Best of the Best Green Practices Award

Longfellow Park Awarded Environmental Recertification

Only 50 STMA member facilities have been earned this distinction

A Message from the Park District of Oak Park

A Statement from Executive Director Jan Arnold

COVID-19 Update

Get updates including a message from Executive Director Jan Arnold

COVID-19 Update

Get updates including a message from Executive Director Jan Arnold

Park District Receives Grant Funds

$592,000 awarded from IL Dept of Natural Resources for Rehm and Carroll Parks

Park District Earns IL Distinguished Accreditation Award

Award verifies the District's commitment to sound management practices and quality program delivery

Park District Receives Distinguished Budget Award

For the 10th year in a row the Park District has received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

2019 Park District of Oak Park Community Survey

The 2020 PDOP Community Survey results are in!

Carroll_Drawings-Carroll_addition_for_bro

$577,800 Grant Award for Carroll Center

The Park District was awarded a $577,800 grant from the IL Clean Energy Community Foundation for Carroll Center addition.

Additional Solar Panels Installed on RCRC Roof

Additional solar panels were installed on the roof at the Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex through a partnership with the Park District, Realgy Inc. and EcoSolar.

Park District Takes Ownership of Dole Center

Senior Center of Oak Park to Relocate to Dole

Rehm Pool Diving Tower Removed

Aging structure removed before pool season.

Sustainability at the Oak Park Conservatory

Thank you to the 1000+ Oak Park residents who made pledges in fall 2018 identifying actions you and your family will take to make our community more sustainable such as converting lawns to gardens, planting pollinators, hosting a green block party and more.

Community Service Awards

Every February the Park District of Oak Park presents community service awards to organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of parks and recreation in our community.

Park District of Oak Park Awarded $400,000 OSLAD Grant for Stevenson Park

Stevenson Park improvements include a new, accessible entryway which connects to a looped walking path and a new playground.

Park District Wins Green Award

For the 3rd year in a row, PDOP was the recipient of the Illinois Association of Park District’s Best Green Practices Award.

Park District Receives State Recognition

The Park District was the recipient of the Illinois Association of Park District's Best Green Practices Award for the third year in a row.

Park District of Oak Park Receives Platinum International Aquatic Safety Award

Pools win Prestigious Safety Award

Pop-up Library in the Parks

Oak Park Public Library Comes to our Parks

Strategic Planning Process

The Park District of Oak Park kicks off their strategic planning process.

Park District Recognized by AIA

AGEEC named as one of Illinois’ 200 Great Places.

Park District Annual Report 2017

View our year in review

Download Document

Donated Maple Park Playground Installed in Zambia

The former Maple Park playground was recently installed in Zambia

Park Board Statement on Albion Project

10.6.2017 Park Board Statement Regarding the Albion Project

PDOP Lifeguards Receive Golden Guard Award

PDOP Lifeguards Jannai Bates and Devin Washington have been awarded the prestigious "International Golden Guard Safety Award" in a recent unannounced Aquatic Safety Audit.

Help Wanted - Clubhouse Afterschool Program Staff!

The Park District of Oak Park is seeking seasonal employees for the Clubhouse After school program. Please see the article content for more information!

AGEEC Receives Platinum LEED Certification

The Park District of Oak Park was recently awarded Platinum LEED certification for the Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center.

Park District Takes Top Innovation in Local Government Award

The Park District of Oak Park is the recipient of this year’s J. Robert Havlick Award for Innovation in Local Government competition for their submission, “Launch Pad: Getting Good Ideas Off the Ground”. Their work was honored at the Transforming Local Government Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 21, 2017.

1000-Lake-and-Austin-Gardens-looking-east

Park District of Oak Park Board of Commissioners Statement Regarding the 1000 Lake Street Proposed High-Rise Development

Committed to protecting Oak Park's parks, green space and tree canopy that contribute to residents’ quality of life,

PDOP Teams up with Kids Kloset

Donate your used kids clothing.

New Solar-Powered Charging Stations Installed

Relax and recharge in the parks.

Park District Wins National Gold Medal Award

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), is pleased to announce the Park District of Oak Park has won the 2015 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.

The Power of Parks

Do you know the power of parks and recreation in your community? Watch the video and learn more about how parks affect our communities.

Improved Registration - No More Lottery!

By popular demand! Starting with the release of the Fall Program Guide on August 1, the Park District of Oak Park is eliminating the Lottery System for our seasonal programs. Unless otherwise indicated in the program information, registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis, with park district residents having priority over non-residents.

Universal ID Card - Use Yours at Concessions Stand!

DID YOU KNOW? Your Universal ID Card can be used for the concessions stands at the Pools and Ice Arena!

PDOP Performance Measures Now Available Online

Have you ever wondered how many households the Park District serves, how many trees are in our parks system or how many work orders our Buildings & Grounds crew have completed this year?

Oak Park is Named an Arboretum

Oak Park is the first municipality to receive arboretum status

Quidditch now at the Park District of Oak Park!

Outdoor Ice Rinks Opening This Winter

The Park District will offer outdoor ice rinks at three outdoor locations this winter: Longfellow Park (with lights for evening use) Austin Gardens Taylor Park (with lights for evening use) Outdoor ice rinks are created when weather allows.

Giving Tuesday is December 2

Celebrate generosity this holiday season by giving to the Austin Gardens Fund

FLW Races Post Race Survey 2014

218 Madison Closing for Renovation

The Administrative Center at 218 Madison will be closed as of October 24, 2014

Community Survey Results

A survey was conducted for the Park District to collect and utilize community input in establishing priorities for future capital improvements,

Walking Paths in our Parks

An index of select walking paths in our parks!

Friday Night Ice is Back!

Friday Night Ice has returned! Spend the first Friday of each month at Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex skating, eating Chiptole, socializing, and having a great time! The first event will take place on Friday, September 5th from 8:45-10:15pm. Admission is $10. You may pay at the door but advanced registration is encouraged!

Calling All Scouts!

Scouts can now earn the Ice Skating Merit Badge or Fun Patch at the RCRC! Daisies, Brownies, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scout classes now available! Sessions include free skate rental, 45 minutes on ice instruction, 15 minutes off-ice instruction. Participants receive a Scout Badge or Fun Patch and two free public session passes.

Join the PDCC!

Are you interested in making your voice heard at the Park District? Volunteer for the PDCC.

Elsie Jacobsen Discovery Garden is Now Open

The Park District of Oak Park and FOPCON are delighted to announce the Grand Opening of the Elsie Jacobsen Discovery Garden.

Park District Receives $400,000 Grant for Maple Park

Governor Quinn announced the Park District of Oak Park will receive $400,000 in OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) grant funds for Phase II improvements to Maple Park.

Summer Porch Renovated at Pleasant Home

The year-long restoration of Pleasant Home’s Summer Dining Porch is now complete.

Preschool Registration Going on Now

Preschool and Playschool registration opened up for the 2014-2015 school year on February 22nd at 9am. Registration can be done online or in person and is first come, first serve.

Park District seeks artists for GRC

The Art Advisory Committee seeks an artist or artist team to create a significant public artwork as part of Park District’s new Gymnastics and Recreation Center

PDOP Receives Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency Award

The Park District of Oak Park has been recognized as an Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA).

49 Lake Teen Center to Close December 2013

Teen Center is closing by the end of the year.

Concordia Volunteers at Park District

Concordia University donated 100 hours of service...

Post Race Survey Now Available!

The post-race survey for the 2013 FLW Races is now available! Click here to share your thoughts! http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1416275/2013-FLW-Races-Evaluation

A Walk in Scoville Park

What would Jens Jensen think of the new Scoville Park renovations? Read Wednesday Journal's review.

Welcome to the Park District's New Website

The newly redesigned website of the Park District of Oak Park has gone live. It features a completely overhauled navigational structure, and provides visitors with easy access to a wide variety of Park District resources.

Scholarship Funds Available

The Park District of Oak Park is dedicated to serving the parks and recreational needs of all Oak Park residents.

Mural of a Couple on a Bench

New Murals for Barrie Park

New murals were recently installed by Oak Park Area Arts Council Off the Wall Program.

Grant Funds Awarded for Environmental Learning Center

May 11, 2013: Governor Pat Quinn announced Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant awards for 45 Illinois park districts including a $400,000 matching grant for the Park District of Oak Park to develop an Environmental Learning Center at Austin Gardens.

Ridgeland Common Groundbreaking

The official Ridgeland Common Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on Saturday, March 9 at 10am at Ridgeland Common to celebrate this Park District milestone and signal the start of the Ridgeland Common Renovation Project.

Jun 25, 2012 03:26 PM

Park District of Oak Park Secures $400,000 Grant for Lindberg Park Improvements

The Park District of Oak Park was recently notified by the Office of Governor Quinn and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that the Park District of Oak Park will receive a $400,000 matching grant for the development of Lindberg Park.