About Us

In 1919, the citizens of Des Plaines, which was a farming community, overwhelmingly voted to create a park district whose first parks were two small parcels of land. During the next decade, 11 more parks were planned and though the Depression brought financial difficulties to the town, the Park District managed to continue its work on preserving open space for the community.

By the end of the 1980s, the population of Des Plaines jumped from 10,000 to nearly 50,000 challenging the Park District to expand its services. More parks were built and programs and services enhanced to meet the needs and wants of a growing community. Today there are 54 parks and facilities that are owned or maintained by the Park District who continues to assure its residents that the green they see and the fun they have will last long into the next generation.