Waukegan Park District

What Waukegan Park District does

The Waukegan Park District is a local government entity incorporated in 1916 under the State of Illinois Park District Code, operating as a public parks and recreation provider for the City of Waukegan in Lake County, Illinois. It manages 52 properties across approximately 740-751 acres — making it the 11th largest park district in Illinois — and serves a population of more than 86,000 residents through a portfolio that includes parks, athletic fields, two public golf courses (Bonnie Brook and Greenshire), the Field House Sports Fitness & Aquatics Center, SplashZone water park, Jack Benny Center for the Arts, the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie, dog exercise and agility areas, a BMX track, and a skate park. It is staffed by 291 employees (74 full-time plus 217 part-time/seasonal) under Executive Director Jay Lerner and an elected Board of Commissioners. Programs span youth and adult sports leagues, swim lessons, summer camps, before/after-school care, fitness classes, arts and cultural programming (including the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus), nature and environmental education (Urban Ag Lab at Bowen Greenhouse, Nature's Classroom), adaptive recreation through the SRSNLC intergovernmental cooperative, and an annual American Independence Parade. It holds the 2013 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management and Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency status.

The district's revenue model is a hybrid of tax-supported public funding and transactional fee-for-service revenue. Fee streams include athletic field and court rentals ($25-$175/hour depending on facility type and lighting), indoor room and banquet hall rentals, program registration fees ($3-$12 per activity), golf outings ($200 individual / $550 foursome), plant and flower sales from the Urban Ag Lab (donations from $4), scholarship endowment disbursements (five $1,000 scholarships annually), and tiered event sponsorships ($100 to $10,000 for the parade). Pricing is residency-based, with residents paying lower rates than non-residents, and free community programming is offered across multiple touchpoints (Arts Park, Yoga at the Beach, Movies in the Park, Nature Discovery Day). Marketing and distribution rely on a multi-channel approach: the waukeganparks.org website, a Constant Contact email newsletter, seasonal bilingual program guides (English and Spanish), social media, and community partnerships. Technology infrastructure is limited to WebTrac (online registration and program management) and interactive maps; no AI/ML capabilities, mobile app, or proprietary platform is disclosed.

Name

Waukegan Park District

Legal name

Waukegan Park District

Website

https://waukeganparks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1916

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Waukegan Park District is a 1916-incorporated Illinois local government entity that operates 52 parks across 740+ acres, serving 86,000+ Waukegan residents with recreational facilities, sports leagues, aquatics, arts programming, and adaptive recreation services funded by property taxes and user fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Parks and Recreation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Parks (Outdoor/Indoor, Wave Pools & Slides) (THAJAEAB), Educational Adventure Programs (Outdoor Education, Skill Development) (THAAAAAO)

Keywords

• Public parks management
• Recreation services
• Community facilities
• Youth sports programs
• Aquatic and fitness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Waukegan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Facility and Field Rentals: Athletic fields, courts, and indoor facilities are rented to organizations and individuals for practices, games, tournaments, and events. Fees vary by facility type, time of day, and lighting requirements.
2. Scholarship Program: Annual scholarships awarded to local students pursuing park and recreation related fields. Five $1,000 scholarships funded through the Memorial Endowment Fund.
3. Event Sponsorships: Parade sponsorship tiers ranging from $100 to $10,000, with golf outing sponsorships and various event sponsorship opportunities.
4. Plant & Flower Sales: Plant and flower sales from the Urban Ag Lab at Bowen Greenhouse, with donations starting at $4 per item.
5. Golf Operations: Golf course operated by GolfVisions Management Inc. Revenue generated from green fees, clubhouse operations, and banquet facilities at Bonnie Brook Golf Course.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Waukegan Park District operates and manages 52 parks and recreational facilities across approximately 740+ acres in Waukegan, Illinois. It delivers year-round recreation programs (youth and adult sports, swim lessons, summer camps, arts, fitness, nature education) and rents facilities/fields to organizations and individuals. The district also operates two public golf courses and a museum, serving more than 86,000 community residents.

Product overview

The Waukegan Park District operates as a unified parks and recreation system offering a comprehensive portfolio of facilities and programs. The core offering consists of 52 parks across 751 acres, supplemented by specialized facilities including two golf courses (Bonnie Brook Golf Course and Greenshire Golf Course), the Field House Sports Fitness & Aquatics Center, SplashZone water park, Jack Benny Center for the Arts, and the Waukegan History Museum. Programs span recreation activities for all ages including youth and adult sports, swim lessons, summer camps, nature education, arts programming, and special recreation services for individuals with disabilities. Facility and athletic field rentals provide additional community access. The district emphasizes healthy lifestyles, environmental stewardship, and cultural education across all offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bonnie Brook Golf Course An 18-hole championship public golf course designed by James Foulis in 1926 and operated by GolfVisions Management Inc. Consistently ranked among the top 50 public golf facilities in the Chicago area, offering green fees, clubhouse amenities, and banquet facilities.
• Greenshire Golf Course Public golf course operated by the Waukegan Park District, available to the community for green-fee play.
• Field House Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Center Indoor sports, fitness, and aquatics center featuring basketball courts, fitness classes, swim programs, and related recreation offerings for residents and visitors.
• SplashZone at Corrine J Rose Park Seasonal outdoor water park and splash pad providing family aquatic recreation during summer months.
• Jack Benny Center for the Arts Performing arts venue hosting theatre productions, concerts, and art programs, including performances by the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus.
• Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie Museum featuring the permanent exhibit 'The Waukegan Chronicles', highlighting Waukegan-area history from the ice age through the 21st century.
• Facility Rentals Rental of indoor rooms, outdoor facilities, athletic fields, courts, and banquet spaces to organizations, sports leagues, and individuals for events, practices, tournaments, and gatherings.
• Summer Camps Seasonal enrichment and recreational camps for children held during summer break.
• SwimSmart Swim Lessons and Programs Swimming instruction and aquatic programs offered to participants of all ages and skill levels.
• Youth Sports Programs Youth sports leagues and clinics emphasizing fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship for all skill levels.
• Special Recreation Services (SRSNLC) Adaptive recreation programs and services for individuals with disabilities, delivered through the Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County (SRSNLC) intergovernmental cooperative.
• Nature Programs Environmental education programming including Nature's Classroom, outdoor discovery activities, and the Urban Ag Lab at Bowen Greenhouse.
• Bonnie Brook Clubhouse Banquet Hall Banquet and event hall located at the Bonnie Brook Golf Course, available for rental for large gatherings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves over 86,000 residents with comprehensive park and recreation services

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• American Place CasinominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Lead sponsor of the 2026 American Independence Parade. Located in Waukegan, features slots, table games, restaurants and Circa Sportsbook Illinois.
• Family First CenterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Lead sponsor of the 2026 American Independence Parade. Lake County organization focused on nurturing, educating, and empowering families.
• The QuonsetminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Lead sponsor of the 2026 American Independence Parade. Known as Lake County's best thin-crust pizza, vintage pizzeria serving pies since 1946.
• Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County (SRSNLC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSRSNLC is an intergovernmental cooperative providing community recreation to persons with disabilities. The Waukegan Park District has been a member since 2000, partnering with the Zion Park District. Programs focus on education, preparation, and participation in recreation activities.
• GolfVisions Management Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGolfVisions Management operates Bonnie Brook Golf Course for the Waukegan Park District. The 18-hole championship course, designed by James Foulis in 1926, is consistently ranked among top 50 public golf facilities in the Chicago area.
• Illinois Arts Council AgencyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides grant funding supporting the Arts Park Program and concert performances by the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus.
• North Shore GasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides funding supporting free Urban Ag Lab activities and programs at Bowen Greenhouse for children and adults.
• Vista Health SystemminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides free water for parade participants along the American Independence Parade route.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• National Recreation and Park Association: The national trade association that administers the Gold Medal Award Waukegan won in 2013; relevant as the industry's governing body that defines standards and accreditation (CAPRA) used to benchmark district performance.
• GolfVisions Management Inc. Third-party management firm that operates Bonnie Brook Golf Course for Waukegan; comparable as an outsourced operator of municipal golf assets, illustrating an alternative operating model that park districts increasingly adopt.

Regional players

• Lake County Forest Preserves: The Lake County Forest Preserves operates over 31,000 acres of natural lands in the same Illinois county as Waukegan; an adjacent public-sector peer providing outdoor recreation, trails, and nature programming that overlaps with Waukegan's park and nature offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Park District: The Chicago Park District manages over 600 parks across Chicago and is the largest comparable Illinois park district; it provides the same core municipal recreation, parks, facilities, and programming model as Waukegan, only at vastly greater scale.

Direct peers

• Naperville Park District: Suburban Illinois park district recognized for award-winning programs and extensive facilities, including Fort Hill Activity Center and golf operations; directly comparable to Waukegan as a similarly sized Illinois municipal recreation provider.
• Arlington Heights Park District: Suburban Chicago-area park district operating recreation centers, pools, and sports programs; offers an analogous mix of programming, rentals, and aquatics comparable to Waukegan's Field House and SplashZone facilities.
• Zion Park District: A neighboring Lake County park district that is a co-member with Waukegan in the Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County (SRSNLC) cooperative; operates parks, recreation programs, and special recreation services directly comparable to Waukegan's offerings.
• Schaumburg Park District: Northwest suburban Chicago-area park district operating multiple recreation centers, the Patriot's Run and Walnut Greens golf courses, and the Trickster Art Gallery; closely mirrors Waukegan's portfolio of parks, golf, and arts programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WaukeganParks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxrT6qVKG1xWLJHx8vK6v6Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/WaukeganParkDistrict
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waukegan-park-district
• Instagraminstagram.com/waukeganparkdistrict

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waukegan Park District