History

In 1920 a group of residents formed the Forest Park Citizens Protective League for the purpose of opposing any industrial or railway sidings that might be constructed on the site that the Park District now occupies. With the cooperation of the Forest Park Kiwanis Club and their president Emery Parichy, the group began to work toward the creation of a public park. After fourteen years of effort, the Park District was created by a referendum on November 6, 1934 and was officially entered into the records of the Cook County Court on November 14, 1934. The first commissioners were John S. Murray, Fred Steers, Raymon H. Warnecke, Dr. John T. Warner and Harry Weidermann. Dr. Warner passed away on December 18th, before taking his oath of office and Charles Heidelbach was appointed to fill the vacancy.

The Board of Park Commissioners purchased a 16½ -acre tract of land on July 2, 1935. The price was $80,000 or approximately 11 cents per square foot. The first Administrative Office opened on August 15, 1935 and was located at 7520 W. Harrison. Two weeks later an application was filed with the federal government for a grant for land improvement of $272,960. The $31,500 balance of the project was to be borne by the people of the village. The grant was approved in November of 1935 and, in December, the Works Progress Administration assigned a workforce of 300 men to the project.

Primarily due to a mandate by the federal government to pay prevailing wages, the cost of the project doubled. The final price tag was $611,623 for the purchase of the land and all improvements. The federal government contributed $386,623 of this total, Forest Park citizens contributed the rest.

Our original park, which enjoyed the most modern facilities of the time, included:

• the $125,000 Administration Building which housed executive offices, a recreation room, an infant welfare room and an auditorium with kitchen and shower, locker and check rooms for swimming pool patrons
• a 280′ by 180′ concrete swimming pool with a water capacity of 1,000,000 gallons – the largest in the state
• six concrete tennis courts
• two softball diamonds
• two children’s wading pools
• one of the best-equipped rifle ranges in the region
• a horseshoe court
• a concrete grandstand that served the pool and softball spectators and three wooden bleachers for general purposes
• an illuminated fountain with colored lenses
• a garage, shop and storage area
• a comfort station of stone construction to match the Administration Building
• a mile of winding walks and a winding concrete street and a 200-car parking area

Over the years the Park has seen many changes. The many members of the District’s Board of Park Commissioners have taken great care to maintain the beauty of our Park, while keeping it safe and equipped with the most current amenities

In 1968, a new pool was built within the structure of the original pool. The State of Illinois had informed the Board of its intention to close the 30-year old pool, which was badly in need of renovation. In 1967, after three failed bond issue referendums for repairs throughout the Park, a group of citizens collected 1537 names on a petition asking that the Park Board reconsider their decision to abandon the project and try to pass a referendum for a bond issue for pool renovations only. This referendum passed on February 17, 1968 by a 2 to 1 margin and the new pool was built.

In 1983 the District applied for federal grant monies to make possible the purchase of the old gas station building and and lot on the corner of Desplaines and Harrison. The building was converted to a recreation building and a playground and two tennis courts were built on the property purchased.

Replacement of the maintenance garage was completed in 1984.

During 1986 major projects included the repair of the veranda roof, tuckpointing of the Administration Building and glass block window replacement.

The playground was completely revamped in 1987 and a waterslide installed in the pool in 1988. 1989 saw the resurfacing of the tennis courts at Hannah and Harrison.

Projects in 1990 and 1991 included the repaving and widening of Beloit Avenue through the Park, the resurfacing of all existing walkways and the installation of basketball courts

In 1994 the pool again was in danger of being closed by the State. During 1995 the construction of the Forest Park Aquatic Center began. While Forest Park residents remained without a pool during that summer, the District hoped that plans for the new facility would prove worth the wait. The Aquatic Center, with a price tag of $3.1 million, opened in 1996 complete with two drop slides, two flume slides, a sand volleyball court and an interactive play center.

The Park District embarked upon yet another improvement project in 1999, again renovating the playground, installing an in-line hockey rink, resurfacing and refencing the tennis courts, refurbishing the multi-purpose athletic field and adding a senior area with game tables and bocce courts.

Sansone Drive was resurfaced during 2000 and the Administration Building saw roof and gutter repairs in 2002.

In 2003 the District launched another major improvement project, installing a sprayground in the Aquatic Center replacing the sand volleyball court and renovating the softball fields, including dugouts, lighting and new scoreboards. The multi-purpose field underwent still another renovation, this time with the installation of state-of-the-art synthetic turf.

The Park District has embarked on a 5-year Master Capital Improvement Plan. As a part of this plan, the “Bud Mohr” Skatepark was installed in 2005, replacing the old basketball courts. The waterslides were totally resurfaced as well and Building #4 which houses our DayCamp program and is used for other programming and community needs has been refurbished. A distance-marked walking circuit has also been installed through the Park. The Administration has recently undergone major renovation with the addition of office space and an elevator to provide accessiblity and allow for more efficient use.

The Park District of Forest Park celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2009 and has published a commemorative history booklet. For a copy contact the Park District at 708-366-7500.