Welcome
Wheeling Park District, incorporated in 1961, is located in northern Cook and southern Lake Counties, and is 27 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. The Park District serves a population of approximately 45,000 residents living within the Village of Wheeling, and small portions of Prospect Heights, Buffalo Grove, and Arlington Heights. It encompasses an area of just over 8.5 square miles. The Park District is considered to be a primary government – providing a full range of recreation activities, public open space, recreational facilities, a full-service country club, and districtwide events for its communities.
The Park District is governed by an elected, seven-member board, and operates under a Board Manager form of government, with its primary purpose being to provide parks and recreational opportunities to its residents. Services provided include recreation programs, park management, capital development, and general administration. The Park District manages 22 sites on approximately 350 acres. Recreational facilities operated by the Park District include one undeveloped natural area, twelve parks, one sports complex, one outdoor aquatic center, one community recreation center, one indoor pool, a health and fitness center, historical museum, a championship-quality 18 golf course and banquet facility, as well as a number of softball/baseball fields, football and soccer fields, pickleball courts, playgrounds, and picnic shelters
Mission
“To provide memorable experiences in parks and recreation that enrich our communities.”
VISION
To uphold our tradition as the provider of choice in parks and recreation for our community.
- Community: The Wheeling Park District will engage and serve the diverse needs and preferences of our evolving community, fostering inclusivity, accessibility, and equity in the provision of parks, recreational facilities, and programs, delivered through excellent service.
- Leadership: The Wheeling Park District understands the value of collaboration and will build relationships, forge partnerships, and facilitate cooperation among community organizations and individuals as the leading provider of parks and recreation services.
- Innovation: The Wheeling Park District empowers its staff to research and utilize cutting-edge enhancements to better the workplace and guest experience. The District will develop and implement new ideas, strategies, technologies, and approaches that bring about positive change and enhance the delivery of services.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Sue Stein
President
Commissioner since 2009
Term expires 2025
Email Sue Stein
Mike Burns
Vice President
Commissioner since 2013
Term Expires 2027
Email Mike Burns
OUR HISTORY
The Wheeling Park District completed the exterior renovation of Chevy Chase Country Club, construction of an Accessible Greenhouse adjacent to the NWSRA Programming Space at the Wheeling Park District Community Center, and a new parking lot expansion on the north side of the Community Recreation Center Chevy Chase Country Club…
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In 2023, Childerley Park received significant upgrades, including a vibrant new playground for ages five through twelve, a designated play area for younger children, a synthetic safety surface, a 1/3-mile looped path, a shaded plaza, and a bocce court. These improvements enhanced the 12.7-acre park at 506 McHenry Road, making…
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Avalon Sienna playground was installed in 2022. This park belongs to the Village of Wheeling. Through an intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Wheeling and Wheeling Park District. Wheeling Park District replaced the play equipment, updated the existing gazebo, and made slight improvements to the landscape surrounding the play area.…
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Under an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Wheeling, Avalon Sienna playground was acquired on May 1. The final phase of the CRC Renovation and Expansion project with additional programming and rental spaces at the northwest corner of the facility was completed.
On March 2, the new, permanent home of congregate dining opened for those 60 years+ at the CRC. Wheeling Park District was awarded a $400,000 OSLAD grant for Childerley Park. The new Preschool wing at the CRC was completed.
On Monday, May 27, a new logo was adopted to represent how much the District has grown to meet the community’s needs since incorporating in 1960. A $30,000 play space grant from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the Walt Disney Company was used to continue the Unplug…
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The Chamber Park parking lot was reconstructed using green infrastructure to capture storm water runoff in a rain garden, naturalized landscaped bio-retention area. The groundbreaking ceremony for the CRC Renovation and Expansion Project took place on May 7.
Horizon Park renovation was dedicated in May. Mark Twain Park was completed in July through an agreement with School District 21 for co-ownership of the equipment and full use of the playground and land as a neighborhood park outside of school hours.
The renovation of Heritage Park was completed in time for summer activities. The Performance Pavilion, shelter with lake overlook and walking paths were opened to the community. The Chevy Chase Country Club added a new patio off the north end of the Grand Ballroom with two wooden pergolas and a…
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The Heritage Park Sports Complex opened in March and features a two-story concession building situated in the center of three turf baseball/softball fields and one turf baseball/softball/soccer/football field complete with lights and electronic scoreboards. The venue hosts many Wheeling Park District athletic programs and leagues and also is available for…
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Construction continued on the Heritage Park redevelopment project. The site plan includes extensive site landscaping, athletic complex with lighted synthetic turf baseball/softball/soccer/football fields, concession building, a bandshell, and pavilion.
After a number of Board and staff workshops, and evaluating community input, on May 8, the Park District Board officially approved the Wheeling Park District 2012-2017 Strategic Plan. The Park District developed its Strategic Plan to provide direction in serving its communities in parks and recreation for the time period…
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To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Wheeling Park District, a series of events and activities were organized throughout the year. A logo was developed and used on all staff attire, signage, stationery, and promotional materials. The highly visible Heritage Park Redevelopment Project, a cooperative effort among the Park District, the…
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The result of several years of discussions and planning culminated in the signing of an Intergovernmental Agreement among the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), the Village of Wheeling, and Wheeling Park District in July. Along with permits and easements, the Park District transferred to MWRDGC approximately 14…
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Addressing the community’s desire for additional open space, the Park District acted quickly when an opportunity arose to purchase 31 acres on the south side of Lake Cook Road, between Milwaukee Avenue and Northgate Parkway. This undeveloped property includes a 13-acre lake, a 10.5 acre wetland, and several acres of…
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In August 2007, the Park District purchased 10 acres of land from St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. At the time of acquisition, the land was being rented from the Church by the Park District for athletic field usage. Upon purchase, the land was incorporated into Heritage Park. Financing for…
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The Wheeling Park District Board of Commissioners adopted a new Mission statement for the Park District: To provide memorable experiences in parks and recreation that enrich our communities. Also, in 2004, the Wheeling Park District Board of Commissioners adopted a new logo:
The Aquatic Center was expanded during 2002 to add new water features. Denoyer Park served as a campsite for Girl Scouts and originally housed a log cabin, three buildings, an outhouse, and a greenhouse. These structures were removed when the Park District purchased the property in 1999. In 2000, the…
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Husky Park was redesigned in 2001 with financial assistance from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The detention basin was converted into an outdoor classroom and wetland area, including a beautiful waterfall feature. Husky Park won the 2002 Conservation and Native Landscaping Award from the Chicago Wilderness Society and Environmental…
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The Park District increased the size of the CRC in 1999 with the addition of the Arctic Splash indoor pool and Fitness Center. Also in 1999, the Chevy Chase Country Club underwent a one-year, $4 million renovation to restore the inside and outside of the structure.
The Park District obtained 10 acres fronting Dundee Road in 1990 from Wickes Companies, Inc. By early 1992, the Park District was able to begin work on the Aquatic Center and an adjoining 400-car parking lot. Residents approved a referendum in March of 1992 to build a new Community Recreation…
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In 1988, the historic Carriage House, located on Dundee Road, was acquired from the Village of Wheeling and moved to Chamber Park.
In 1985, the Park District acquired the four acres of land remaining from the Lemke Farm in south Wheeling. With the acquisition of a second smaller parcel on Equestrian Lane and a grant from the Department of Natural Resources, the Park District, in cooperation with Prospect Heights Park District, developed…
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The acre of land that became Malibu Park was used to stockpile soil during construction of the Malibu subdivision. The developer donated the land to the Park District in 1984.
In 1981, the Wheeling Park District renovated and restored the original chapel at Childerley Park to honor former Commissioner Lorraine E. Lark, who passed away in 1980. She served on the Board for 13 years, eight as president.
The Village sold the original Wheeling Village Hall on Milwaukee Avenue to the Park District in 1978. The building was moved to Chamber Park and now houses the Historical Museum.
The other 10 acres that became Childerley Park were owned by a religious organization, the Calvert Foundation of Chicago, and used as a retreat. In March of 1977, Wheeling residents approved another referendum allowing the Park District to acquire the Childerley land and Chevy Chase Country Club.
The Park District acquired the 10 acres of land that became Horizon Park in 1975. To develop the park in 1984, the Park District sold the existing house on the property and one-half acre of the land.
The Park District acquired a Civil War-era church building in 1970 and moved it to the Chamber Park site. The building was remodeled to hold community meetings and recreational programs. In 1970, the Park District was able to purchase 8.35 acres of land on the former Skinner Farm property. As…
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Another piece of land, north of the existing property line along Wolf Road, was purchased for use as a retention basin in 1969. Around the same time, an easement was granted to the Village of Wheeling to construct a retention basin and pumping station to control flooding in the area…
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In order to provide an ingress and egress to Heritage Park, the Park District acquired a residential lot on Jeffery Avenue at Jeanne Terrace from Family Homes, Inc. in 1968.
In 1964, with a grant from the Federal Open Space Land Program, the Park District purchased 66 acres of land situated between the Wisconsin Central railroad tracks and Wolf Road, just north of Meadowbrook subdivision, from G.D. Searle and Company. Construction began on this area, known as Heritage Park, in…
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In 1962, the Village of Wheeling donated three adjoining lots on Nancy Lane to the Park District. The half-acre of land is known as Meadowbrook Park.
The citizens of Wheeling, Illinois, voted to give themselves the gift of a Park District on December 23, 1960, with a special election held at Mark Twain School. The first meeting of the Park District was held on January 11, 1961, at Wheeling Village Hall, and was presided over by…
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AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
