Illinois Association of Park Districts

What Illinois Association of Park Districts does

The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) is a nonprofit service, research and education organization founded in 1928 and headquartered in Springfield, Illinois. IAPD represents nearly 400 member agencies in Illinois including park districts, forest preserves, conservation districts, municipal park and recreation departments, and special recreation agencies. The organization delivers advocacy at the Illinois state capitol, produces authoritative legal reference publications (the Park District Code, Law Handbook, Guide to Employment Laws, and Guide to the Open Meetings Act and FOIA), and publishes the bimonthly Illinois Parks & Recreation magazine reaching 5,000+ readers. IAPD also administers grant programs in partnership with state agencies — most notably the OSLAD program with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which has channeled over $365 million to member agencies — and runs an annual conference, Legal Symposium, Governance & Leadership Forum, Summer Golf Tour, and Best of the Best Awards Gala.

IAPD generates revenue through a diversified association model: annual agency membership dues scaled by member size, corporate memberships priced at $680 per year for vendors seeking access to agency purchasing agents, one-time publication sales, event and webinar registrations, job board postings (executive director positions listed at $1,000 for 30 days), and revenue share from affinity programs (IPARKS, IPDLAF+, SEVEN Utility, credit card processing). Distribution is multi-channel: a website (ilparks.org), an online store, an active social and podcast presence across six platforms, weekly e-news, and a network of in-person events. The organization employs 1–10 staff and is governed by a 19-member Board of Trustees chaired by Bill Casey, with Peter M. Murphy serving as President/CEO.

Name

Illinois Association of Park Districts

Legal name

Illinois Association of Park Districts

Website

https://ilparks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Illinois Association of Park Districts is a 1928-founded nonprofit membership association representing nearly 400 Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation districts, and recreation agencies, providing advocacy, legal reference publications, and educational events including the annual Soaring to New Heights Conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

Keywords

• Membership association services
• Park district advocacy
• Recreation industry publications
• Professional development events
• Nonprofit industry association

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Agency Membership Dues: Annual membership dues for park districts, forest preserves, conservation districts, recreation agencies, and special recreation agencies. Dues are calculated based on agency size and include all board members, executive directors, attorneys, secretaries, and treasurers. Additional staff can attend programs and events at member rates.
2. Corporate Membership: Annual corporate membership at $680 per year, providing brand exposure to purchasing agents in Illinois park districts, forest preserves, recreation, and natural resource agencies.
3. Publications Sales: Sales of publications including Park District Code ($75 book, $75 e-book, $140 bundle), Law Handbook ($55 member price), Employment Laws Guide ($45 member price), Open Meetings Act Guide ($55 member price), and Get on Board leadership guide ($22 member price).
4. Event Registrations: Revenue from educational events including Legal Symposium, Governance & Leadership Forum ($99 member, $250 non-member), webinars, and the annual Soaring to New Heights Conference. Executive director position postings generate $1,000 for 30-day postings.
5. Affinity Programs: Cost savings programs including IPARKS, IPDLAF+, TIPS, credit card processing, SEVEN utility program, and purchasing card programs that provide value to member agencies through collective purchasing power.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels15 records

Core offering

Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) is a nonprofit membership association that serves park districts, forest preserves, conservation districts, municipal park and recreation departments, and special recreation agencies in Illinois. It provides advocacy at the state legislature, legal and regulatory publications (Park District Code, Law Handbook, Employment Laws Guide, Open Meetings Act/FOIA Guide), educational events and conferences, professional development programs, career services, affinity cost-savings programs, and grants administration including the OSLAD and PowerPlay! programs.

Product overview

The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) is a nonprofit service, research and education organization that serves park districts, forest preserves, conservation, municipal park and recreation, and special recreation agencies. IAPD offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services including legal and regulatory publications (Park District Code, Law Handbook, Employment Laws Guide, Open Meetings Act/FOIA Guide), educational events (Soaring to New Heights Conference, Legal Symposium, Governance & Leadership Forum, Summer Golf Tour), member services (Career Center, Director Search Service, Distinguished Accreditation, PowerPlay! Grant Program), affinity programs (IPARKS, IPDLAF+, TIPS, SEVEN Utility), and publications (Illinois Parks & Recreation Magazine, Golf Guide, Park Cast Podcast). The organization functions as a platform supporting nearly 400 agency members through advocacy, education, and research services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Park Cast: IAPD's podcast that puts a spotlight on the work IAPD and its membership are doing with park districts, forest preserves, recreation, special recreation and conservation agencies.
• PowerPlay! Grant Program
• Friends of Illinois Parks
• Director Search Service
• Illinois Parks & Recreation (IP&R) Magazine
• Distinguished Agency Accreditation

Products and services

• Park District Code Comprehensive compilation of laws affecting Illinois park districts, available in book or e-book format. The 2025 edition includes 16 significant amendments and four brand new sections. Used by park district board members, executive directors, attorneys, and staff for legal compliance.
• Illinois Park District Law Handbook 8th Edition Consolidates complex laws impacting Illinois park districts into a user-friendly volume with 11 chapters, nearly 50 more pages of content, and 23 legal sample forms. Available in book and/or digital format for member agencies.
• Guide to the Open Meetings Act and FOIA 2nd Edition Handbook helping Illinois park commissioners, executive directors, FOIA and OMA officers, and staff navigate laws related to public meetings and record disclosures.
• Guide to Employment Laws 2nd Edition Guide to public sector employment laws covering Equal Employment Opportunity, Affordable Care Act, Wage and Hour requirements, Workers Compensation, and other employer laws — for Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation districts, recreation and special recreation agencies.
• Get on Board Essential wisdom for board members and executives covering recruiting good board members, board orientation and training, ethics, creating healthy boards, and advocating for parks and recreation issues.
• Organizing a Park District Guide to organizing a park district with information on how to form a park district, election procedures, and legal requirements.
• Illinois Parks & Recreation Magazine (IP&R) Bimonthly magazine published for board members and professionals in the field, covering trends, legislation, boardmanship, and practical information. Reaches 5,000+ readers including commissioners, executive directors, and superintendents with direct purchasing authority.
• Golf Guide Comprehensive list of IAPD member golf courses in Illinois, including photos, addresses, phone numbers, website links, pro names, manager names, and superintendent names.
• Career Center Online job board providing executive director search services and position postings for park and recreation positions at IAPD member agencies. Executive director postings cost $1,000 for 30 days; standard postings available at nominal fee to member agencies.
• Park Cast Podcast IAPD podcast putting a spotlight on the work IAPD and its member agencies are doing with park districts, forest preserves, recreation, special recreation, and conservation agencies. Available on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube.
• PowerPlay! Grant Program Beyond-school grant program providing resources to agencies to ensure safe opportunities for children at risk. Has given nearly $400,000 in grants to member agencies for after-school programs.
• Distinguished Accreditation Voluntary comprehensive evaluation process to improve delivery of recreation services and provide recognition of agencies achieving superior levels of service. Joint IAPD/IPRA program.
• IPARKS Affinity Program Telecommunications affinity program that has saved member agencies thousands of dollars per year in telephone costs.
• Governance & Leadership Forum Educational offering for park, recreation, and conservation agency leaders to share ideas and challenges through facilitated roundtable discussions on boardmanship, legal responsibilities, ethics, conflict resolution, and efficient board meetings.
• Legal Symposium Annual educational event covering recent legal changes affecting park and recreation agencies, including workplace laws, FOIA, OMA, and tort liability updates. In-person and virtual options.
• Soaring to New Heights Conference Annual joint IAPD/IPRA conference featuring awards, educational sessions, networking, and professional development for park and recreation professionals. January 2027 event at Hyatt Regency Chicago.
• Summer Golf Tour Annual golf outing series (25th annual edition) providing opportunities to learn about other agencies' golf operations and network with colleagues at member golf courses.
• Best of the Best Awards Gala Annual awards ceremony recognizing outstanding achievements in Illinois park districts including Board Member Service Anniversaries, Agency Anniversaries, Intergovernmental Cooperation Awards, and other honors. October event at Wheeling, IL.
• Director Search Service Service to assist member agencies in attracting and selecting their chief executive through executive director search assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• OSLAD Program has granted over $365,000,000 to member agencies
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the annual Soaring to New Heights Conference and Park District Conservation Day at the Illinois State Fair. Joint Distinguished Park and Recreation Accreditation Committee and Joint Editorial Committee. IPRA represents recreation professionals while IAPD represents park districts, creating comprehensive statewide coverage.
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAPD administers grants in partnership with IDNR including OSLAD (Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development) Program which has granted over $365 million to member agencies. Also collaborates on energy efficiency grants and IDNR Grant Tips webinars.
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAPD partnered with DCEO to deliver energy efficiency grants and building assessments to member agencies, helping pay for energy efficiency improvements.
• University of Illinois Energy Resources (ERC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in delivering energy efficiency programs and grants to IAPD member agencies.
• IPARKScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAffinity program for member agencies providing purchasing advantages and cost savings on various operational expenses.
• IPDLAF+ (Illinois Park District Liquid Asset Fund+)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAffinity program providing financial services and investment opportunities for member agencies.
• TIPS (Terrorism Intelligence Program)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffinity program offering intelligence and safety-related services to member agencies.
• SEVEN UtilityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy program affinity partner helping member agencies reduce utility costs. One member agency saved nearly $10,000 per year through IAPD's telecommunications affinity program.
• Illinois State FaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAPD co-sponsors Park District Conservation Day at the Illinois State Fair, bringing over 100,000 fairgoers awareness of park district services and activities.
• University of Illinois - Office of Recreation and Park ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted statewide household surveys of park district areas and developed research documents including citizen input studies, economic impact research, and annotated bibliographies on special districts and land cash donation ordinances.
• American Academy for Park and Recreation AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented the Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medal for Parks and Conservation to IAPD President/CEO Peter Murphy. Academy conducts annual awards recognizing excellence in parks and recreation.
• EarthShareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkplace giving program allowing employees to donate to support Illinois parks and conservation efforts.
• NuToys Leisure ProductsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured Corporate Member of the Week. Supplier of outdoor recreation equipment for over 35 years, serving park districts, forest preserves, and recreation agencies.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IlAssnofParkDistrict
• Facebookfacebook.com/ilparkdistricts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/illinois-association-of-park-districts
• Instagraminstagram.com/ilparkdistricts/?hl=en
• Xtwitter.com/ilparkdistricts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Illinois Association of Park Districts