About Us
Our Mission
The Downers Grove Park District was created in 1946 as a special unit of local government when a group of citizens envisioned the establishment of a park and recreation system to serve area residents. The Park District’s mission is to provide a wide variety of year-round recreation programs, facilities, parks, open space and natural areas that respond to the articulated needs and desires of residents.
This mission statement is attained by striving to meet the following goals of the Downers Grove Park District:
• Enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Downers Grove;
• Develop park areas and recreational facilities to meet the present and future demands of Downers Grove residents;
• Ensure sufficient passive and active park land to meet the leisure needs of present and future populations of Downers Grove;
• Maintain park areas and facilities that are clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing;
• Provide staff with an environment fostering personal and professional growth;
• Effectively administer the revenues and expenditures of the District’s various budgets;
• Effectively market the District’s services and to contribute to the economic growth of the Village.
Downers Grove Park District History
The Downers Grove Park District was created in 1946 when a group of concerned citizens envisioned the establishment of a park and recreation system to serve Downers Grove village residents. The District's mission of providing and preserving open space and developing quality recreational areas and leisure programs has remained constant for over 60 years.
In 1947, the District had 12.5 acres of park land to serve its 11,300 residents. Organized recreation programs were first offered in 1952. The ensuing years have brought an influx of population and development, and consequently an increased demand for recreation services.
The Park District's boundaries are nearly coterminous with those of the Village of Downers Grove, encompassing almost 16 square miles. The community is located 25 miles southwest of Chicago's loop, in southeastern DuPage County. DuPage County is one of the 50 largest counties in the nation. The entire assessed valuation of the Park District exists within this county.
The community's predominantly residential character has been complemented by growth in the commercial sector, primarily in the northern and southern sections. The area commonly referred to as the Northwest Territory contains some of the newest and most prestigious corporate and hotel development in the county. Several nationally known businesses and manufacturing firms also operate offices in Downers Grove, including R. R. Donnelly, First Health, Rexnord, Inc., Aramark, Sara Lee and IOS Brands (FTD).
The economic complexion is characterized by a diversity of manufactured products such as telephone transmission and switching systems, scientific and medelectro-mechanical instruments, horticultural and home gardening supplies, and cleaning products and equipment.
The Downers Grove Park District is a member of the South East Association for Special Parks And Recreation (SEASPAR). This association was formed in 1976 under authority of an intergovernmental joint agreement for the sole purpose of providing special recreation services to all residents with disabilities within eight Park Districts and three villages situated in the southeast region of DuPage and western Cook Counties, Illinois.
The District's cooperative efforts in working with other government agencies is best reflected in the long-standing relationship with the Downers Grove school districts. The local school districts provide facilities for satellite recreation programs while the Park District, in turn, helps maintain ball fields and school grounds.
An intergovernmental purchase agreement among the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, the Village of Downers Grove and the Park District was innovated to preserve the locally significant Lyman Woods. Protection and interpretation of this tranquil 135 acre site (which contains an oak woods) with the construction of an interpretive center in 2003 with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and an Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant is another example of the Park District's commitment to strong intergovernmental relationships. The District also agreed to purchase land with the Downers Grove Sanitary District to add property to an existing park.
Today, the Downers Grove Park District serves a population of approximately 50,000; has an assessed valuation exceeding $2.4 billion; oversees over 600 acres of parks and facilities and provides leisure programs to over 56,000 participants annually. The Downers Grove Park District has touched thousands of lives and has grown into a district for all seasons.
