What Mount Prospect Park District does

The Mount Prospect Park District is an Illinois special purpose local government entity established in 1955 that owns and operates a network of public parks, recreation centers, aquatic facilities, fitness centers, a golf course, a conservatory, and community programming across an 11+ square mile service area covering most of Mount Prospect and portions of Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, and Elk Grove Village. Core products include 15+ physical facilities (Lions Recreation Center, Central Community Center, RecPlex, Meadows Aquatic Center, Mt. Prospect Fitness at CCC and RPX, Mt. Prospect Golf Club, Friendship Park Conservatory, Canine Commons Dog Park, and Art Studio at Melas Park) plus a broad programmatic portfolio spanning early childhood education, before/after school care, summer camps, swim lessons, Sharks Swim Team, dance, athletics leagues, pickleball, fitness classes, senior programming, and the 50-year-old Mt. Prospect Community Band. The district is governed by an elected Board of Commissioners, led by Executive Director Jim Jarog, and supported by the Mt. Prospect Parks Foundation (501(c)(3), est. 1997) which has awarded over $80,000 in scholarships since 2005.

The business model is hybrid: a government entity funded primarily through property tax levies, voter-approved bonds, state grants, and user fees. Revenue streams include program and membership fees (subscription-style fitness memberships and program registrations), one-time facility rentals (birthday parties, weddings, banquets at the Conservatory, pool parties), government grants (a $600,000 OSLAD grant, $137,500 IDNR Bike Path grant, $1.5 million TIF commitment from the Village of Mount Prospect, and a $46.2 million voter-approved bond referendum passed in November 2024 with 64.5% support), and donations routed through the Foundation. Pricing uses a resident/non-resident tier structure (e.g., daily pool admission $10 resident / $12 non-resident). Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer through the physical facility network and an online webstore (webstore.mppd.org). The entity is undertaking its largest capital expansion in history — a $46.2 million reconstruction of Lions Recreation Center and Big Surf Pool, with groundbreaking in October 2025 and completion targeted for May 2027.

Name

Mount Prospect Park District

Legal name

Mt. Prospect Park District

Website

https://mppd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Mount Prospect Park District is an Illinois special purpose local government entity, founded in 1955, that operates public parks, recreation centers, aquatic facilities, fitness centers, a golf course, and community programming for residents of Mount Prospect and portions of Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, and Elk Grove Village.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Parks and Recreation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Fitness & Park Bootcamps (HSADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access) (THAAAAAH)

Keywords

• Parks and recreation
• Public recreation facilities
• Community programming services
• Aquatic recreation services
• Leisure activity programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Prospect

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program and Membership Fees: The district generates revenue through registration fees for recreational programs (summer camp, preschool, athletics, fitness classes, dance, performing arts), membership fees for fitness centers and aquatic facilities, and daily admission fees for non-residents and residents at pools and facilities.
2. Facility Rentals: The district rents out facilities including banquet facilities at Friendship Park Conservatory, birthday party venues, pool party rentals, RecPlex rentals, and conservatory weddings to generate additional revenue.
3. Government Grants: The district receives state and federal grants including OSLAD grants ($600,000 awarded), IDNR Bike Path grants ($137,500), and voter-approved bond referendum funding ($46.2 million in November 2024).
4. Donations and Fundraising: The Mt. Prospect Parks Foundation, established in 1997 as a 501(c)(3), raises funds through tax-deductible donations to enhance parks, facilities, and recreation opportunities. The Foundation has awarded over $80,000 in scholarships since 2005.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mount Prospect Park District is a local government entity that operates public parks, recreation centers, aquatic centers, fitness facilities, a golf club, a conservatory, a dog park, and an art studio for residents of Mount Prospect and surrounding communities. It delivers structured programming including youth camps, swim lessons, dance and performing arts, athletics leagues, group fitness, senior programs, and community events such as the Summer Festival of Music and Park Play Day. Services are paid for via program registration fees, facility memberships, daily admissions, and facility rentals, supplemented by voter-approved bond proceeds, state and federal grants, and donations channeled through the affiliated 501(c)(3) Mt. Prospect Parks Foundation.

Product overview

The Mt. Prospect Park District operates as a network of parks, recreation facilities, and programs serving the Mount Prospect community and surrounding areas. The core offerings consist of 15+ facilities including recreation centers (Lions Recreation Center, Central Community Center), aquatic centers (Meadows Aquatic Center, RecPlex Pool), fitness centers (Mt. Prospect Fitness at CCC and RPX), a golf club, and specialized facilities (Art Studio, Canine Commons Dog Park, Friendship Park Conservatory). These facilities support diverse programming including youth camps, swimming lessons, athletics leagues, dance and performing arts, senior programs, and the acclaimed Mt. Prospect Community Band. Event programming includes seasonal festivals, concert series, and community activities. The district also provides online registration services through its WebStore portal. The 2024 bond referendum for $46.2 million enables major facility improvements including reconstruction of Lions Recreation Center and pool.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lions Recreation Center Indoor recreation center at Lions Memorial Park offering fitness, community rooms, dance studio, and multi-purpose programming for district residents; currently undergoing full reconstruction as part of the November 2024 $46.2 million bond referendum project.
• Central Community Center Primary community center at 1000 West Central Road housing district administrative offices and offering recreational programs, meetings, banquet/catering services, and event hosting space for residents.
• RecPlex Multi-purpose recreation complex at 420 West Dempster Street serving as home venue for Mt. Prospect Community Band concerts and a range of community events and indoor recreation programming.
• Meadows Aquatic Center Outdoor swimming pool facility at 1401 Gregory Street offering daily resident and non-resident admission, seasonal swimming programs, and Meadows Movie Night events during the summer.
• RecPlex Pool Indoor aquatic facility offering swimming programs and recreational pool access for district participants.
• Mt. Prospect Fitness - CCC Fitness center located at Central Community Center offering gym equipment, group exercise classes, and personal training under monthly and annual membership plans.
• Mt. Prospect Fitness - RPX Fitness center located at RecPlex offering fitness equipment, group classes, and personal training services on a membership basis.
• Mt. Prospect Golf Club Public golf course and club facility offering daily-fee and season-based public golfing experiences; redesigned and renovated in 2015.
• Friendship Park Conservatory Conservatory facility in Des Plaines offering horticultural programs, banquet facilities, conservatory weddings, and event rentals.
• Canine Commons Dog Park Designated off-leash dog park facility with membership options, posted guidelines, and veterinary documentation requirements.
• Art Studio at Melas Park Art studio facility at 1500 W. Central Road offering visual arts classes including pastels, oil painting, and watercolor for district residents.
• Summer Camp Programs Seasonal day camps including Day Camp, Little Explorers Camp, and Outdoor Adventure Camp for children during summer months.
• Swimming Programs Structured swim lessons for multiple skill levels and the Sharks Swim Team competitive program.
• Athletics Programs Organized sports leagues and instruction including adult leagues, baseball, softball, basketball, gymnastics, karate, pickleball, soccer, and tennis.
• Group Fitness Classes Group fitness offerings including aqua fitness, group fitness, yoga, massage, and personal training.
• Dance Programs Dance instruction including Mt. Prospect Community Band-related programs and SI dance programs with dress code requirements.
• Performing Arts Programs Theater and performing arts programming including Mt. Prospect School of Classical Ballet recitals.
• Early Childhood and Youth Programs Preschool, KinderKlub, Kids Klub, and before/after school care programs serving young children and school-age youth.
• Senior Programming Recreation programs designed specifically for senior citizens of the district.
• Mt. Prospect Community Band Community concert band established in 1976 that performs at RecPlex, Lions Park Band Shell, and during the Summer Festival of Music; celebrating 50th anniversary in 2026.
• Before and After School Care/Days Off Supervisory care programs for school-age children on school days before/after class and on days off from school.
• Preschool Licensed preschool programming for young children delivered at district facilities.
• Rental Services Rental bookings for birthdays, CCC rooms, conservatory spaces, pool parties, and RecPlex facilities for private and community events.
• Summer Festival of Music Concert Series Annual six-week outdoor concert series held Monday evenings at RecPlex celebrating the Mt. Prospect Community Band.
• Park Play Day Family-friendly outdoor event held at Owen Park celebrating Unplug Illinois Day with activities and entertainment.
• WebStore Online Registration Online self-service registration portal for program enrollment, facility bookings, and membership purchases for Mt. Prospect Park District offerings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 64.5% voter approval for $46.2 million bond referendum demonstrating strong community support
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mt. Prospect School District 57coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Co-funded the Lions Memorial Park Phase 1 renovation project with the park district and OSLAD State Grant program. The collaboration includes shared recreational facilities benefiting students and community members.
• PROS ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Executed the Comprehensive Master Plan 2022 along with their team consisting of Confluence and ETC. The plan provides a roadmap for district operations including land/facilities, recreation programs, operations and maintenance, financing, and capital improvements.
• Sevres, France (Sister City)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Mount Prospect's Sister City relationship with Sevres, France facilitated a musical exchange. The Mt. Prospect Community Band performed at the Conservatoire and International University in Paris, and at a Sevres banquet in June 2004.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Des Plaines Park District: Direct service-area peer — MPPD serves parts of Des Plaines and Des Plaines Park District operates the same adjoining geography with overlapping pools, recreation centers, and community programming. Both are local government park districts serving dual-village catchment areas in suburban Chicago.
• Elk Grove Park District: Direct service-area peer — MPPD serves parts of Elk Grove Village; Elk Grove Park District operates a comparable suburban Chicago portfolio including recreation centers, pools, and parks under the same Illinois park-district statute and PTELL constraints.
• Arlington Heights Park District: Direct service-area peer — MPPD serves parts of Arlington Heights; AHPD operates an equivalent portfolio of aquatic centers, fitness facilities, ice rinks, and recreation programming in the same suburban Chicago market. Both are government entities with similar voter-approved funding mechanics and master-plan-driven capital programs.
• Buffalo Grove Park District: Adjacent suburban Chicago park district operating similar recreational facilities, aquatics, athletic leagues, and senior/youth programming under the same Illinois governance and PTELL funding constraints.
• Schaumburg Park District: Large neighboring Illinois park district operating a comparable portfolio of recreation centers, pools, fitness, athletic fields, and community events for suburban Chicago residents. Among the largest peer park districts in the region — useful benchmark for scale and program breadth.
• Palatine Park District: Near-adjacent Illinois park district operating recreation centers, aquatics, fitness facilities, and community programming for a similar suburban Chicago demographic. Operates under the same Illinois park-district statute, voter-referendum funding model, and IPRA membership as MPPD.
• Rolling Meadows Park District: Local Illinois park district in the same northwest-suburban Chicago trade area as MPPD, operating pools, recreation centers, and youth programming with comparable revenue scale and funding mechanics.

Regional players

• Glenview Park District: Suburban Chicago park district operating a network of pools, recreation centers, athletic facilities, and community programming. Comparable in operating model and revenue mix (programs, memberships, rentals, fees) to MPPD under Illinois park-district law.
• Park Ridge Park District: Suburban Chicago park district operating recreation centers, pools, and seasonal programs for an adjacent but non-overlapping trade area. Useful peer for program-mix and pricing benchmarks in the same regional market.
• Wheeling Park District: Suburban Chicago park district operating recreation facilities and community programs for a neighboring trade area. Comparable in scale and program offering to MPPD — provides direct benchmarking for facility utilization and pricing in the same regional market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@mtprospectparkdistrict
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/mpparkdistrict
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mt-prospect-park-district

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Mount Prospect Park District