Des Plaines Park District
Des Plaines Park District is a municipal governmental entity providing recreation, parks, and aquatic, golf, and fitness facilities to Des Plaines, Illinois residents, funded by property taxes and user fees, and operating 50+ parks and multiple specialized recreation centers.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1919
- HeadquartersDes Plaines, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Des Plaines Park District does
Des Plaines Park District is a municipal governmental entity, established in 1919, that provides comprehensive recreation services to residents of Des Plaines, Illinois. The District manages over 50 parks across the municipality, anchored by a 75-acre Lake Park property, and operates a diversified portfolio of specialized facilities including three aquatic centers (Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center opened August 2020, Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center, and community pools), two golf facilities (Golf Center Des Plaines open 364 days/year and Lake Park Golf Course & Marina), fitness centers (Prairie Lakes Community Center, The Health Club), event venues (Lakeview Center Shoreline Room, Prairie Lakes Theater), and the Mountain View Adventure Center. Program offerings span aquatics, athletics, dance, fitness, golf, martial arts, music, nature education, preschool, summer camps, and special events, targeting four primary resident segments — children/youth, adults, seniors, and families.
The District operates standard municipal digital infrastructure: a web-based online registration portal (register.desplainesparks.org, available 6am-10pm daily), the DPParks Interactive Mobile App launched October 2020 for real-time updates and notifications, a website (dpparks.org) functioning as the primary communication hub, and a public staff directory. There is no disclosed AI/ML capability, API platform, SDK offering, or proprietary technology beyond these consumer-facing digital tools. Marketing is executed through an in-house team of two via a multi-channel approach including the Spectrum Program Guide, email newsletter, website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and live community events such as the Live at the Lake concert series and Movies in the Park.
The business model combines property tax funding with diversified user-fee revenue streams. Direct-to-consumer revenue is generated through program and activity fees (recurring/seasonal), facility memberships (fitness and golf), facility rentals (banquet rooms, picnic pavilions, event spaces), and usage-based charges (golf operations including driving range and 9-hole course, boat rentals at Lake Park). Pricing examples include $30 per person for special events such as Country Western Yoga. As a municipal entity, the District is governed by a Board of Commissioners, has no private equity or venture capital involvement, and its financial figures are not publicly disclosed. Distribution is entirely direct-to-consumer through online registration, mobile app, in-person facility walk-ins, and on-site registration — all confined to the single Des Plaines market.
Des Plaines Park District firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Des Plaines Park District
- Legal name
- Des Plaines Park District
- Website
- https://dpparks.org
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1919
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Des Plaines Park District is a municipal governmental entity providing recreation, parks, and aquatic, golf, and fitness facilities to Des Plaines, Illinois residents, funded by property taxes and user fees, and operating 50+ parks and multiple specialized recreation centers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Des Plaines Park District industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Recreation and Parks Services
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI), Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF), Aquatic Playgrounds & Splash Pads (Spray Parks, Kids’ Water Play) (THAAABAE)
Keywords
Where Des Plaines Park District is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Des Plaines
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
Des Plaines Park District business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Program and Activity Fees: Fees collected from residents for recreational programs including aquatics, athletics, dance, fitness, golf, martial arts, music, preschool, and summer camps.
- Facility Memberships: Membership programs for fitness centers (Prairie Lakes Fitness, The Health Club at ALC), golf courses (Golf Center Des Plaines, Lake Park Golf Course), and aquatic facilities.
- Facility Rentals: Rental revenue from picnic pavilion rentals, Shoreline Banquet Room at Lakeview Center (hosts events up to 100 people), banquet facility, and general facility rentals.
- Golf Operations: Revenue from golf center operations including driving range, 9-hole course, golf lessons, leagues, tournaments, and pro shop sales.
- Boat Rentals: Lake Opeka boat rentals at Lake Park, with discounts offered during special events like the shoreline restoration ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Country Western Yoga event at Lakeview Center |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Des Plaines Park District product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Des Plaines Park District operates municipal parks and recreational facilities for Des Plaines, Illinois residents. It manages over 50 parks, golf courses, aquatic centers, fitness facilities, community centers, and event venues, delivering structured recreation programs such as aquatics, athletics, dance, preschool, fitness, golf, martial arts, music, nature programs, and summer camps. Services are funded by property taxes, user fees, memberships, and program registrations accessed through an online portal and mobile app.
Product overview
Des Plaines Park District operates as a comprehensive municipal recreation organization offering a broad portfolio of facilities and programs. The district manages over 40 parks and multiple specialized facilities including golf courses (Golf Center Des Plaines, Lake Park Golf Course & Marina), aquatic centers (Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center, Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center, community pools), fitness facilities (Prairie Lakes Community Center fitness center, The Health Club), event venues (Lakeview Center Shoreline Room, Prairie Lakes Theater), and adventure facilities (Mountain View Adventure Center). Programs span aquatics, athletics, dance, music, fitness, nature education, youth development, and preschool education. The district provides digital services including online registration, event ticketing, and the DPParks Mobile App for real-time community engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Aquatics Programs
- Athletics Programs
- Creative Corners Preschool
- Des Plaines Dance Academy
- Event Tickets
- Fitness and Wellness Programs
- Golf Center Des Plaines
- Lake Park Golf Course and Marina
- Music Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- Lake Opeka Shoreline Restoration honored with IPRA Outstanding Park Award for outstanding achievements in park design and development
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Des Plaines Park District
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Des Plaines Park District technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Des Plaines Park District partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Kids Around the WorldcorePartnership for playground repurposing and donation. Old playgrounds from Arndt Park and Bluett Park were donated and shipped to communities in need - Arndt Park playground was reinstalled in Lusaka, Zambia and Bluett Park playground in Pokhara, Nepal. Kids Around the World, based in Rockford, IL, removes equipment, refurbishes it, and ships it for installation in developing countries.
- American Legion Post 36minorVeterans organization supported by the Park District. Marne Deithorn serves as Commander (USMC veteran) and Tom Strossner (USAF veteran) also serves in leadership roles. The Park District supports veterans through recognition and community engagement.
- Des Plaines Friends of the Parks FoundationcoreOfficial foundation partner supporting park district initiatives and programs. Mentioned as attendee at Blackhawk Dog Park grand opening and other community events.
- Buddy FoundationminorArea pet adoption group that attended the Blackhawk Dog Park grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
- Leukemia Research FoundationminorAlan Osinski, newly appointed Park Board Commissioner, is a founding member of the Affiliate Board of the Leukemia Research Foundation. This represents a personal connection rather than formal organizational partnership.
- Joey's AngelsminorCharitable organization. Alan Osinski is an active member. Represents personal community involvement of a Park Board Commissioner.
- Paschen Scholars ProgramminorExecutive Committee member Alan Osinski serves on this program, founded in 2015. F.H. Paschen (his employer) founded the program. Represents professional and educational commitment.
- Des Plaines Optimist ClubminorCommunity partner for Movies in the Park events. Organizes movie screenings at Lake Park and provides additional information through their Facebook page at facebook.com/desplainesoptimist.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves15 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Des Plaines Park District competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Six Flags: Large-scale operator of theme parks and water parks in the U.S., including Hurricane Harbor water parks. Comparable in the aquatics and family entertainment segments where Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center competes for summer spend.
- Topgolf: National golf entertainment venue operator offering driving ranges with tech-enabled games, food, and events. Comparable to Golf Center Des Plaines' driving range, leagues, and entertainment-oriented golf programming.
- Great Wolf Lodge: Operator of large indoor water park resorts with adjacent lodging and family entertainment. Comparable in the family aquatic and event-driven recreation segments where Mystic Waters and Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center operate.
- Life Time Fitness: National premium fitness operator with multiple Chicago-area locations offering fitness centers, pools, group classes, and family programming. Comparable to Prairie Lakes Fitness and The Health Club offerings as a private-sector competitor for fitness and aquatics enrollment.
- YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago: Large not-for-profit community recreation operator offering fitness memberships, swim lessons, youth programs, and group exercise across the Chicago metropolitan area. Comparable overlap with Des Plaines' fitness, aquatics, and youth programming segments.
Direct peers
- Naperville Park District: Illinois municipal park district operating a comparable portfolio of parks, aquatic centers, fitness facilities, and recreation programs for a similarly sized suburban community. Directly comparable as a peer municipal entity delivering parks, recreation, and facility services to residents.
- Park Ridge Park District: Nearby Illinois municipal park district offering a similar suite of parks, recreation programs, pools, and community facilities to a suburban population. Directly comparable in scope, mission, and operating model.
- Glenview Park District: Suburban Illinois park district providing comparable parks, pools, fitness, ice arena, golf, and recreation programming. Direct peer as a same-state municipal park district with a similar facilities mix and resident-services mandate.
- Arlington Heights Park District: Suburban Illinois park district operating aquatic centers, fitness centers, sports programs, and event facilities comparable to Des Plaines' portfolio. Direct peer in facility mix, demographic served, and municipal recreation model.
- Mount Prospect Park District: Adjacent Illinois suburban park district offering parks, pools, recreation programs, and fitness facilities. Directly comparable as a same-region municipal recreation provider serving a similar demographic.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Des Plaines Park District social profiles
Digital presenceDes Plaines Park District financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Des Plaines Park District leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Des Plaines Park District funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Des Plaines Park District M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Des Plaines Park District
What does Des Plaines Park District do?
Des Plaines Park District operates municipal parks and recreational facilities for Des Plaines, Illinois residents. It manages over 50 parks, golf courses, aquatic centers, fitness facilities, community centers, and event venues, delivering structured recreation programs such as aquatics, athletics, dance, preschool, fitness, golf, martial arts, music, nature programs, and summer camps. Services are funded by property taxes, user fees, memberships, and program registrations accessed through an online portal and mobile app.
Is Des Plaines Park District a public or private company?
Des Plaines Park District is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Des Plaines Park District founded?
Des Plaines Park District was founded in 1919. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Des Plaines Park District based?
Des Plaines Park District is headquartered in Des Plaines, United States, in the North America region.
How does Des Plaines Park District make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Program and Activity Fees are the primary driver. The others are facility Memberships, facility Rentals, golf Operations and boat Rentals.
Who are Des Plaines Park District's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Six Flags, Topgolf, Great Wolf Lodge, Life Time Fitness and YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. Direct peers are Naperville Park District, Park Ridge Park District, Glenview Park District, Arlington Heights Park District and Mount Prospect Park District.
Does Des Plaines Park District have an API?
No public API is recorded for Des Plaines Park District.
What industry is Des Plaines Park District in?
Des Plaines Park District's product category is Public Recreation and Parks Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAMAH, Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration, with a secondary code of BPAIACAI, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services. Its NAICS code is 71219 and its SIC code is 7900.