Wheeling Park District
Wheeling Park District is a public Illinois park district serving Cook and Lake Counties, operating 12 parks and multiple facilities including a Community Recreation Center, fitness center, golf course, and a $32 million Aquatic Center under construction, delivering recreation programs, athletic leagues, preschool, summer camp, and special events to district residents.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1961
- HeadquartersWheeling, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Wheeling Park District does
Wheeling Park District is a special purpose unit of local government organized under the Illinois Park District Code, serving residents across Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois. The District operates 12 parks and a portfolio of core facilities including the Community Recreation Center (with year-round indoor pool), Health & Fitness Center, Chevy Chase Country Club (golf, food and beverage, event venue), Heritage Park Sports Complex, Performance Pavilion, and Historical Museum. A $32 million replacement Aquatic Center is currently under construction, with demolition beginning April 2026 and completion scheduled for Summer 2027 to replace the 33-year-old Family Aquatic Center.
The District delivers a comprehensive programming slate across recreation categories: preschool education, summer camp, before and after school recreation (in partnership with CCSD21), swim lessons, athletic leagues (soccer, futsal, volleyball, basketball, cricket, flag football, karate), creative arts, active adult and senior programming, golf, and special events including concerts and car shows. Underlying technology consists of the WebTrac online registration and reservation platform, the Earth Networks Sferic lightning alert system for outdoor athletic safety, and standard digital marketing infrastructure across website, email, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. Inclusion programming is delivered via partnership with NWSRA (Northwest Special Recreation Association).
The revenue model combines recurring property tax levies (primary funding source), program and membership fees (fitness memberships, swim lessons, summer camp, preschool, athletics), facility rentals and venue usage, state grants (Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Park District Youth License Plate program), and corporate sponsorships for community events. A tiered financial assistance program provides up to 75% coverage for households at 150% of Federal Poverty Level, capped at $1,500 annually. Leadership is transitioning from Jan Buchs (Executive Director since 2002, retiring May 29, 2026 after 33 years) to Matt Wehby effective May 30, 2026, with Wehby promoted from Deputy Director after more than two decades with the District.
Wheeling Park District firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wheeling Park District
- Legal name
- Wheeling Park District
- Website
- https://wheelingparkdistrict.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1961
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Wheeling Park District is a public Illinois park district serving Cook and Lake Counties, operating 12 parks and multiple facilities including a Community Recreation Center, fitness center, golf course, and a $32 million Aquatic Center under construction, delivering recreation programs, athletic leagues, preschool, summer camp, and special events to district residents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wheeling Park District industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Parks and Recreation Services
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Golf Courses and Country Clubs (71391), Amusement and Theme Parks (71311), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Campgrounds & RV Parks (Developed Sites) (THAGAOAA), Family & Recreation Campgrounds (Amenities/Activities Focus) (THAMAJAJ)
Keywords
Where Wheeling Park District is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wheeling
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Wheeling Park District business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Property Tax Revenue: As a park district, the primary revenue source is property tax levies collected from residents within the district boundaries, used to fund operations, capital improvements, and public recreation services.
- Program and Membership Fees: Revenue generated from program registrations including summer camp, preschool, swim lessons, athletics, fitness memberships, and special events. Fees vary by program type with memberships offering recurring revenue.
- Facility Rentals and Venue Usage: Revenue from renting facilities for events, parties, and private gatherings including the Performance Pavilion, community centers, and outdoor spaces.
- Grants and Government Funding: Funding from state grants including Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grants and Illinois Park District Youth License Plate program funds.
- Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for events and programs including sponsors for events like Car Show, One of These Nights, and other community events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Per seat | One time | Fitness Member Rate - Sweat & Sunshine outdoor fitness event |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | 90-Day Summer Strong Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Winter Membership Special |
| Subscription | Annual | Financial Assistance - Tier 1 Coverage |
| Subscription | Annual | Financial Assistance - Tier 2 Coverage |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
Wheeling Park District product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Wheeling Park District is a publicly funded special-purpose local government entity that operates 12 parks and multiple recreation facilities, including a Community Recreation Center, indoor pool, Health & Fitness Center, golf course (Chevy Chase Country Club), Heritage Park Sports Complex, Performance Pavilion, and Family Aquatic Center. It sells recreation programs and services to residents — including preschool, summer camp, before/after school care, swim lessons, athletics leagues, creative arts, fitness memberships, and special events — funded primarily by property taxes, user fees, grants, and sponsorships.
Product overview
Wheeling Park District operates as a comprehensive parks and recreation agency offering a diverse portfolio of facilities and programs. The District manages multiple core facilities including the Community Recreation Center (with indoor pool and fitness center), Health & Fitness Center, Chevy Chase Country Club (golf operations), Heritage Park Sports Complex, Performance Pavilion, and Historical Museum. A major ongoing project is the replacement of the Family Aquatic Center with a $32 million modern aquatic facility scheduled for Summer 2027. The District provides extensive recreational programming including preschool education, summer camps, before/after school recreation, swim lessons, athletic leagues (soccer, futsal, volleyball, basketball, cricket, flag football), creative arts (Ballet Folklorico, Art Ventures), and special events. Programs serve residents of all ages from early childhood through active adults, supported by various parks locations throughout the district.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Community Recreation Center
- Indoor Pool
- Health & Fitness Center
- Chevy Chase Country Club
- Heritage Park Sports Complex
- Performance Pavilion
- Historical Museum
- Preschool Program
- Summer Camp
- Before and After School Recreation (BASR)
- Swim Lessons
- Athletic Programs
- Creative Arts Programs
- Active Adults Programs
- Park Rentals and Party Packages
- Golf Programs
- Special Events
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1.2 million annual visitors to Heritage Park
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Wheeling Park District
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Wheeling Park District technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Wheeling Park District partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Glenview Park DistrictcorePartnership arrangement made for the 2026 summer season to provide Wheeling Park District residents access to outdoor swimming facilities at Glenview Park District aquatic facilities at resident rates while the Wheeling Family Aquatic Center is closed for construction of the new Aquatic Center project.
- CCSD21 (Community Consolidated School District 21)coreCollaboration with CCSD21 for the Before and After School Recreation program, keeping youth safe with supervised and structured activities during out-of-school hours.
- NWSRA (Northwest Special Recreation Association)coreSpecial recreation association providing inclusive programming and services for individuals with disabilities within the northwest suburban Chicago area.
- Confluence (Architecture Firm)coreArchitecture firm collaborating with the district on design of the new Aquatic Center, developing conceptual site layouts and architectural plans for the modern aquatic facility.
- Counsilman-HunsakercoreAquatic facility consulting firm retained in spring 2024 to evaluate the existing Family Aquatic Center and study options for its future, providing conditions assessment and strategic recommendations.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Wheeling Park District competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mt. Prospect Park District: Neighboring Cook County park district providing recreation facilities, pools, and youth programming of similar scope and operating model to Wheeling Park District.
- Buffalo Grove Park District: Adjacent Lake County park district with comparable parks, recreation centers, aquatics, and community programming, serving an overlapping suburban Chicago demographic.
- Arlington Heights Park District: Northwest suburban Chicago park district offering similar recreation programs, fitness facilities, aquatics, and athletic leagues serving a comparable demographic profile.
- Park Ridge Recreation and Park District: Northeast Cook County park district offering similar facility mix, recreation programming, and financial support structure via property tax levies.
- Glenview Park District: Adjacent Illinois park district in Cook County with a comparable portfolio of parks, pools, recreation programs, and facilities. Wheeling has an active reciprocal partnership with Glenview for aquatic access during construction, indicating direct operational overlap.
- Schaumburg Park District: Large Illinois park district operating recreation centers, aquatic facilities, sports complexes, and programs for a suburban Chicago population, structurally comparable to Wheeling's service model.
- Des Plaines Park District: Cook County park district with comparable scope of recreation centers, pools, athletic facilities, and youth/family programming in the northwest suburban Chicago market.
Broad incumbents
- Chevy Chase Country Club: Operated as a division of Wheeling Park District, this golf and country club facility is comparable to private golf and country club operators in the suburban Chicago market, providing golf, F&B, and event venue services.
Regional players
- Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA): Special recreation association of which Wheeling Park District is a member, providing inclusive programming for individuals with disabilities across multiple northwest suburban Chicago park districts.
Others
- Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD): State-level industry association providing advocacy, training, and grants (e.g., PowerPlay! Beyond School Grant) to Illinois park districts, including Wheeling Park District.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Wheeling Park District social profiles
Digital presenceWheeling Park District financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wheeling Park District leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Wheeling Park District funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wheeling 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 Wheeling Park District
What does Wheeling Park District do?
Wheeling Park District is a publicly funded special-purpose local government entity that operates 12 parks and multiple recreation facilities, including a Community Recreation Center, indoor pool, Health & Fitness Center, golf course (Chevy Chase Country Club), Heritage Park Sports Complex, Performance Pavilion, and Family Aquatic Center. It sells recreation programs and services to residents — including preschool, summer camp, before/after school care, swim lessons, athletics leagues, creative arts, fitness memberships, and special events — funded primarily by property taxes, user fees, grants, and sponsorships.
Is Wheeling Park District a public or private company?
Wheeling Park District is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Wheeling Park District founded?
Wheeling Park District was founded in 1961. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Wheeling Park District based?
Wheeling Park District is headquartered in Wheeling, United States, in the North America region.
How does Wheeling Park District make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Property Tax Revenue is the primary driver. The others are program and Membership Fees, facility Rentals and Venue Usage, grants and Government Funding and sponsorships.
Who are Wheeling Park District's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mt. Prospect Park District, Buffalo Grove Park District, Arlington Heights Park District, Park Ridge Recreation and Park District, Glenview Park District, Schaumburg Park District and Des Plaines Park District. Chevy Chase Country Club is listed as a broad incumbent. Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) is listed as a regional player. Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) is listed as an others.
Does Wheeling Park District have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wheeling Park District.
What industry is Wheeling Park District in?
Wheeling Park District's product category is Public Parks and Recreation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAI, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services, with a secondary code of THAGAOAA, Campgrounds & RV Parks (Developed Sites). Its NAICS code is 71219 and its SIC code is 7900.