What Elmhurst Park District does

Elmhurst Park District is a special-purpose unit of local government organized under Illinois Compiled Statutes, established June 5, 1920, and operating an extensive portfolio of parks, recreational facilities, and community programs within Elmhurst, Illinois. The District manages 18+ playgrounds across community parks (Berens, Butterfield, Eldridge, Wilder, East End, Plunkett, York Commons), neighborhood parks (including the newly opened Pick Park in 2024), and special-use areas spanning approximately five miles of the Illinois Prairie Path. Its facility portfolio includes two outdoor aquatic centers (East End Pool, Norman P. Smalley Pool), Courts Plus (fitness and recreation), The Hub at Berens Park (community center), the Mary E. Kies Recreation Center (adult/senior programming), Safety Town (children's safety education), Wilder Mansion (event venue), Wilder Park Conservatory, and the jointly-owned Sugar Creek Golf Course operated with the Village of Villa Park.

The District's business model is hybrid: a tax-funded municipal model layered with user-fee revenue. Property taxes from Elmhurst residents constitute the primary revenue stream, supplemented by program and membership fees (KRC senior memberships at $30-$40 annually, punch passes, day passes), facility rentals (weddings at Wilder Mansion, pool and golf course rentals, park shelter permits), and competitive grants (notably a $340,300 OSLAD grant and a $250,000 state grant secured in 2023). Program offerings span early childhood education, youth sports, gymnastics, aquatics, adult fitness, arts and theatre, senior services, and inclusion services for individuals with disabilities. Technology infrastructure consists of the ActiveNet SaaS registration platform (replacing RecTrac in 2024), a public website at epd.org, and standard social media channels; no proprietary technology systems were identified.

The District serves approximately 45,000 Elmhurst residents across all age segments — children, adults, and seniors — plus non-resident visitors paying premium rates. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via owned facilities, online registration, and in-person sign-ups. Partnerships extend its reach, including the Elmhurst Parks Foundation (501(c)(3) since 1985), Edward-Elmhurst Health, Elmhurst Public Library, and regional trail agencies. Strategic initiatives underway include the Elevate Elmhurst Parks comprehensive planning process, a proposed voter referendum, and the planned New Wagner Community Center project.

Name

Elmhurst Park District

Legal name

Elmhurst Park District

Website

https://epd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Elmhurst Park District is a municipal government entity in Elmhurst, Illinois, operating 18+ parks, pools, recreation centers, a golf course, and trails, funded primarily by property taxes and serving residents across all age segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Elmhurst

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Revenue: As a municipal park district, the primary revenue source is property taxes from Elmhurst residents, which funds park maintenance, facilities, and baseline programming.
2. Program and Membership Fees: Fee-based recreation programs including classes, camps, fitness, sports leagues, and facility memberships (e.g., KRC memberships, punch passes, day passes) generate revenue from participants.
3. Facility Rentals and Permits: Revenue from renting facilities for events, weddings, picnics, pool rentals, and golf course operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Elmhurst Park District is a municipal park district that operates a network of parks, recreation facilities, aquatics, golf, trails, and event venues, and delivers fee-based recreation programs and free community events to Elmhurst, Illinois residents and visitors. Core offerings include fitness and recreation at Courts Plus, aquatics at two outdoor pools, an 18-hole golf course, adult/senior programming at the Mary E. Kies Recreation Center, children's safety education at Safety Town, early childhood and preschool programs, youth sports, gymnastics, dance, art, theatre, camps, and facility rentals for weddings and private events.

Product overview

Elmhurst Park District operates as a comprehensive parks and recreation agency offering a portfolio of parks, recreational facilities, and programs. The District manages 18+ parks including community parks (Berens Park, Butterfield Park, Wilder Park, Eldridge Park), special use areas (Wild Meadows Trace, Salt Creek Greenway Trail, Illinois Prairie Path), and neighborhood parks. Facilities include Courts Plus (fitness/recreation center), two outdoor pools (East End Pool, Norman P. Smalley Pool), The Hub at Berens Park (community center), Sugar Creek Golf Course (jointly owned with Villa Park), Wilder Mansion (event venue), Wilder Park Conservatory, Mary E. Kies Recreation Center (adult/senior programming), and Safety Town (children's safety education). Programs span adult fitness, aquatics, early childhood, youth sports, gymnastics, dance, art, theatre, camps, trips, and seniors. The District also manages facility rentals, special events, and community partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Safety Town: An educational facility providing preschool aged children with early safety education, featuring a miniature Elmhurst community.
• Elevate Elmhurst Parks

Products and services

• Parks & Facilities Network
• Courts Plus
• The Hub at Berens Park
• Mary E. Kies Recreation Center
• Sugar Creek Golf Course
• Swimming Facilities (East End Pool and Norman P. Smalley Pool)
• Safety Town
• Wilder Mansion
• Recreation Programs
• Special Events
• Trail Systems (Salt Creek Greenway Trail and Illinois Prairie Path)
• Wilder Park Conservatory
• Canine Corner

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Elmhurst Parks FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1985A grassroots 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1985 that works in partnership with the Elmhurst Park District on special projects consistent with the Park District's mission. Projects are selected each year that help add value to the Park District, going above and beyond what can be provided with limited tax dollars. Located at 375 W. 1st Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126.
• Edward-Elmhurst HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in the Take a Hike Challenge, a regional health initiative encouraging outdoor activity. Edward-Elmhurst Health has partnered with local community sponsors including Elmhurst Park District to bring hiking insights, special programming and ideas.
• Kelly Stetler of Compass RealtyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored Find Frosty winter contest, providing a $250 gift card to City Centre as prize for the winner. Kelly Stetler Real Estate and Brokerage also sponsors Tree Lighting in Wilder Park and other events.
• Salt Creek Greenway Trail Partner AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional trail partnership including: Cook and DuPage County Forest Preserve Districts, Addison Park District, and Villages of Addison, Oak Brook, Villa Park, Itasca, Wood Dale, and Lyons. Project financed through combination of grant dollars (80%) and local agency contributions (20%). The Elmhurst Park District segment cost was over $2.7M but actual cost to District was just over $500K with grants covering remaining $2.2M.
• Metropolitan Family Services of DuPageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHas an office at the Mary E. Kies Recreation Center and provides counseling and other support services to seniors and senior caregivers.
• Elmhurst Public LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Movies in the Park - Elmhurst Park District and Elmhurst Public Library co-host outdoor movie screenings.
• Upland DesignminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture and engineering firm hired for dog park design services at 0S771 Old York Road location.
• Edquity-Minded Consulting, LLCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDEI consulting firm hired to conduct organizational assessment. Founded in 2020 by Tamekia M. Scott, EdD in Antioch, IL. Selected through RFP process with proposed fee of $31,560 within $35,000 budget approved by Park Board.
• Elmhurst Garden ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Elmhurst Garden Walk & Faire hosted at Wilder Park. Proceeds fund student scholarships and District plantings. Donated $3,000 in 2017 for plantings and Recreation Assistance program.
• Aqua Knight PlumbingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Bags, Brew and BBQ and Tree Lighting in Wilder Park events.
• Elmhurst BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Bags, Brew and BBQ and Park Palooza.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Naperville Park District: Large Illinois municipal park district serving a comparable affluent western Chicago suburb. Operates parks, recreation centers, pools, golf, and programming with similar funding model (property tax + fees + grants), making it the closest scale-and-model peer to Elmhurst.
• Downers Grove Park District: Adjacent DuPage County park district operating parks, recreation centers, pools, and programming for a similar suburban demographic. Direct municipal-government peer with overlapping facilities mix and competitive labor pool.
• Glen Ellyn Park District: Neighboring DuPage County park district offering parks, pools, recreation programs, and youth/adult sports. Comparable size, demographic, and service portfolio to Elmhurst.
• Lombard Park District: Nearby DuPage County municipal park district with parks, recreation centers, pools, and programming. Similar funding model and demographic; competes for the same non-resident participation dollars.
• Arlington Heights Park District: Suburban Chicago municipal park district of comparable scale operating parks, recreation centers, pools, and senior programming. Strong analog for benchmarking utilization and pricing strategies.
• Addison Park District: Named co-partner in the Salt Creek Greenway Trail project. Neighboring municipal park district with parks, pools, and recreation programming — a literal operational partner, not just a peer.

Regional players

• DuPage County Forest Preserve District: Regional land-management and recreation entity co-funding the Salt Creek Greenway Trail with Elmhurst. Broader geographic remit and conservation mandate overlap with Elmhurst's nature-park operations.

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Park District: The dominant regional municipal park operator in Illinois — far larger and broader in scope. Relevant as the upper-bound benchmark for what a scaled municipal parks agency can deliver, though it serves a very different urban demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ElmhurstParkDistrict
• Instagraminstagram.com/elmhurstparkdistrict
• Xx.com/elmparkdistrict
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elmhurstparkdistrict

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Elmhurst Park District