What Niles Park District does

Niles Park District is an independent municipal park district established by local referendum on November 9, 1954, serving more than 29,000 residents of Niles, Illinois, plus customers throughout the Chicagoland area. The district is governed by an elected five-member Board of Commissioners (currently led by President Ronnie Strzelecki, Vice President Julie Genualdi, Treasurer Joe LoVerde, and Commissioners Jim Hynes and Scott O'Brien) with day-to-day operations managed by Executive Director Tom Elenz and a leadership team spanning finance, marketing, athletics, facilities, grounds, golf, tennis, ice, and recreation administration. The district employs 33 full-time staff and approximately 400 part-time seasonal workers.

The district operates a diversified recreation platform anchored by more than 95.2 acres of parkland across 18 parks and a portfolio of purpose-built facilities: Howard Leisure Center (administrative hub), Golf View Recreation Center and Tam Tennis Club (fitness/tennis), IceLand Skate (ice rink with hockey programming), LoVerde Sports & Recreation Center (indoor soccer, courts, party venue), Tam O'Shanter Golf Course (18-hole course with learning center), Oasis Waterpark (seasonal outdoor aquatic facility), Grennan Heights, Oakton Manor, and two preschool centers. The technology stack is utilitarian: a third-party recreation management/registration platform (ilnilesweb.myvscloud.com) and the Thor Guard Lightning Warning System, a hardware safety solution installed across parks providing horn and strobe-light alerts during electrical storms (April-November, 6am-10pm). No proprietary software, AI/ML systems, or APIs are present.

Revenue mechanics combine a municipal property tax levy (the primary recurring funding source authorized by taxing powers) with diversified earned income: program registration fees across ~33 distinct categories (preschool, sports leagues, camps, swim lessons, dance, music, martial arts, arts, cooking, tech); annual and monthly fitness memberships at Golf View and Tam Tennis with differentiated resident/non-resident/senior/family tiers; facility and room rentals (athletic fields, courts, shelters, Pioneer Park Field House, Jungle Fun party rooms); gift cards; and a sponsor network of more than 15 local businesses plus nonprofit and civic sponsors (M-NASR, Optimist Club, VFW). Pricing follows a consistent resident-vs-non-resident two-tier structure with additional fees (e.g., $50 non-refundable preschool registration fee, $25 late fees). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via online portal, in-person at any of nine Niles locations, phone (847-967-6633), email ([email protected]), and mail-in. The district also operates reciprocal resident-rate access agreements with Morton Grove and Des Plaines park districts and partnerships with program providers including Illinois Shotokan Karate Club, Gordon Sports/Niles Strikers FC, and Vince Thomas Basketball.

Name

Niles Park District

Legal name

Niles Park District

Website

https://niles-parks.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Niles Park District is a 1954-established municipal park district serving 29,000+ Niles, Illinois residents with 95+ acres of parkland, 18 parks, and facilities including an ice rink, waterpark, golf course, fitness centers, and preschools, funded by property taxes, program fees, and memberships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Parks and Recreation

NAICS

Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Amusement Parks (Regional/Local Ride Parks & Funfairs) (THAJAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aquatic Family Entertainment Centers (Splash Pads, Aquatic Playgrounds, Swim Parks) (THAJAEAL)

Keywords

• Parks and recreation
• Youth sports programs
• Community fitness facilities
• Aquatic and ice programs
• Preschool education

Headquarters

HQ city

Niles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Revenue: As a municipal park district, Niles Park District receives property tax revenue to fund operations and maintenance of parks and facilities.
2. Program Registration Fees: Revenue from preschool tuition, sports league fees, camp fees, swim lessons, dance classes, and other recreational programs. Fee structure includes resident and non-resident rates.
3. Fitness Memberships: Annual and monthly fitness center memberships at Golf View Rec Center and Tam Tennis with various tier pricing for residents, non-residents, and seniors.
4. Facility Rentals: Revenue from room rentals, shelter rentals, athletic facility rentals, party bookings (jungle fun parties), and sports field reservations.
5. Gift Cards: Gift cards sold for use at any Niles Park District facility or program.
6. Sponsorships and Donations: Corporate sponsorships from local businesses and donations including tree donation programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Niles Park District is a municipal government agency that operates and maintains public parks, recreation facilities, and community programming for Niles, Illinois residents. Its core offerings include youth and adult athletic leagues, swim and ice-skating lessons, preschool education, summer camps, arts and music classes, fitness center memberships, facility and pavilion rentals, and community special events such as Movies in the Park and Concerts in the Park.

Product overview

Niles Park District is a municipal park district (established 1954) serving over 29,000 residents of Niles, Illinois with more than 95 acres of parkland across 18 parks. The district operates as a platform of recreational facilities and programs rather than a single product. Core facilities include the Howard Leisure Center (main administrative and recreation hub), Golf View Recreation Center and Tam Tennis (fitness facilities), IceLand Skate (ice skating/hockey), LoVerde Sports & Recreation Center (indoor soccer/party spaces), Tam O'Shanter Golf Course, and Oasis Waterpark. The district's programs span youth sports (Niles Strikers Soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball leagues), aquatics (swim lessons), arts (dance, music lessons, art classes), early childhood education (state-licensed Bright Beginnings Preschool), summer camps (11 weekly sessions), fitness memberships, and community events (concerts, movies). Registration is available online, in-person, by email, or by phone.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bright Beginnings Preschool: Niles Park District's state-licensed preschool program certified by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
• Howard Leisure Center
• IceLand Skate
• Oasis Waterpark
• LoVerde Sports & Recreation Center
• Tam O'Shanter Golf Course
• Tam Tennis Club
• Grennan Heights
• Golf View Recreation Center
• Niles Strikers FC

Products and services

• Bright Beginnings Preschool Preschool education program for young children.
• Tam O'Shanter Golf Course Public golf course operated by the district for residents and visitors.
• IceLand Ice Arena Ice rink offering public skating, lessons, hockey programming, and figure skating.
• Oasis Waterpark Outdoor aquatic facility offering swimming, swim lessons, and seasonal waterpark amenities.
• Fitness Center Memberships Membership-based access to district fitness centers, including use of equipment, group exercise, and related amenities.
• Youth and Adult Sports Leagues Organized sports leagues for youth and adults across multiple disciplines.
• Summer Camps Seasonal summer day camps for children.
• Art, Music, Dance and Cooking Classes Instructional classes in art, music, dance, and cooking for participants of various ages.
• Swim Lessons Group and private swim instruction for children and adults.
• Facility and Pavilion Rentals Reservable indoor rooms and outdoor pavilions for private and community events.
• Jungle Fun Parties Staff-led birthday party packages at district facilities.
• Community Special Events Free or low-cost community programming such as outdoor movie screenings and concert series.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving more than 29,000 residents plus Chicagoland customers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sister Cities Association of NilesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2007Community organization with shared board member Julie Genualdi serving as trustee.
• Village of NilescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsorship of Oak Park Summer Concert Series and joint community events including July 4th celebration. The Village and Park District share roughly the same boundaries but are separate government agencies.
• Maine-Niles Association for Special Recreation (M-NASR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial recreation services partnership providing programs for individuals with disabilities. The Liponi Foundation serves as a trustee benefiting M-NASR.
• Liponi FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrustee organization that benefits M-NASR special recreation services.
• Illinois Shotokan Karate ClubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner school taught under instruction of John DiPasquale, four-time National Champion and President of the American Shotokan Association. Provides karate classes at National Park Fieldhouse in Morton Grove.
• Young RembrandtsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArt education program provider offering drawing, cartooning, and anime/manga workshops for children ages 3-12.
• Sticky Fingers CookingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth cooking class provider offering globally-inspired recipes incorporating STEAM, culture, language, and geography. All allergies accommodated with nut-free recipes.
• Gordon Sports/Niles Strikers FC CoachescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSoccer camp instruction provided by Gordon Sports and Niles Strikers FC coaching staff at LoVerde Sports & Recreation Center.
• Vince Thomas BasketballminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBasketball camp instruction by Vince Thomas, USA Basketball Licensed Coach, former high school coach, former professional player, Collegiate All American and Hall of Famer.
• WellNow Virtual CareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District.
• MPowered SmilesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District (orthodontics practice).
• DiFranco OrthodonticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District.
• Howard Street InnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District (restaurant/bar).
• Dear FranksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District (restaurant).
• State Farm (Eric Bielinski)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District (insurance).
• Sharper Dot PrintingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District (printing services).
• Christine Pusateri Hair SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District (hair salon).
• Har Mil Currency ExchangeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District (currency exchange).
• Optimist Club of NilesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District (service organization).
• VFW Post 3579minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District (veterans organization).
• Senator Ram VillivalamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District (Illinois State Senator).
• Dick's Sporting GoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor of Niles Park District with special offers for community members.
• Morton Grove Park DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative agreement makes Prairie View Health Center (6834 Dempster) available to Niles residents at resident rates.
• Des Plaines Park DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative agreement makes Lake Opeka facility available to Niles residents at resident rates.
• Notre Dame College PrepminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaseball field locations at 7655 Dempster for varsity and water tower fields.
• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)minorOthersMember agency providing resources and best practices for park districts.
• Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD)minorOthersMember agency representing Illinois park districts.
• Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA)minorOthersMember agency for park and recreation professionals.
• Illinois Parks Association of Risk Services (IPARKS)minorOthersMember agency for risk management and insurance services for parks.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Morton Grove Park District: Adjacent suburban Chicago park district of similar size and service model. Niles has an explicit cooperative agreement with Morton Grove making Prairie View Health Center available to Niles residents at resident rates - same market, same offering structure.
• Des Plaines Park District: Neighboring Chicago suburb park district with analogous facilities, programs, and tax-funded operations. Has an explicit inter-district cooperation agreement with Niles for Lake Opeka facility access, confirming direct comparability.
• Park Ridge Park District: Suburban Chicago park district serving a comparable affluent community with similar mix of recreation centers, pools, ice arena access, and youth programming. Board Vice President Julie Genualdi also serves as a Park Ridge police officer - overlapping operational profile.
• Glenview Park District: Adjacent north suburban Chicago park district operating similar multi-facility recreation platform including ice rink, fitness center, pool, and preschool programming. Direct substitute for many Niles services for cross-shopping residents.
• Skokie Park District: Closely situated suburban park district operating sports complexes, fitness facilities, waterpark, and preschool. Comparable resident-population tax model and program breadth makes it a clean functional peer.
• Evanston Parks and Recreation: Nearby Chicago suburb with extensive park acreage and recreation programming including lakefront beaches, ice arena, fitness center. Larger scale than Niles but same operating model and resident-tax-revenue structure.
• Oak Park Park District: Suburban Chicago park district operating Andresen Center, fitness facilities, pools, and youth/adult sports. Particularly relevant as Oak Park hosts the joint Niles-Village Summer Concert Series which is documented as a co-sponsored event.

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Park District: Massive municipal park operator serving all of Chicago with 600+ parks and extensive programming. Same statutory model but at vastly larger scale; sets regional competitive context for facility quality and programming standards that Niles must match.
• Life Time Group Holdings: National premium fitness operator competing directly for adult fitness memberships through Golf View and Tam Tennis sites. Represents the private-sector alternative that Niles' subscription fitness revenue must defend against.

Others

• Maine-Niles Association for Special Recreation (M-NASR): Special recreation joint-venture partner formed via intergovernmental agreement with multiple park districts including Niles. Documents Niles as M-NASR member agency, indicating a peer cooperation model on the special-needs recreation segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NilesParkDist
• Facebookfacebook.com/nilesparkdistrict
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/niles-park-district

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Niles Park District