What Veterans Park District does

Veterans Park District is a special-purpose unit of local government organized under Illinois law, operating as a municipal park district headquartered at the Grant Park Recreation Center in Northlake, Illinois. Established in 1929, the district serves approximately 55,000 residents across an 11-square-mile service area covering Northlake, Melrose Park, Leyden Township, Franklin Park, and River Grove in Cook County, Illinois, roughly 12 miles west of downtown Chicago. It owns and operates 15 parks spanning 55.82 acres alongside five major facilities: the Grant Park Recreation Center (gymnasium, walking track, party/meeting rooms), the Cimbalo Fitness Center and Museum, the George A. Leoni Complex (indoor turf and batting cages), Gouin Pool and Water Slides, and the Bulger Park Community Center.

The district delivers a comprehensive portfolio of recreational programs across all age segments, including Building Blocks Preschool, after-school care with school district transportation, summer day camps, the VPD Swim Academy, adult sports leagues (basketball, softball, mushball, bocce), youth athletics, active adult and senior programming, creative arts, fitness classes, and travel excursions. Special recreation services for residents with disabilities are delivered through a 2021 partnership with the West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA). The underlying technology stack consists of a standard website with the third-party Vermont Systems WebTrac registration platform, email newsletter via Constant Contact, and social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The business model combines non-discretionary property tax revenue from district residents with diversified program-generated income. Program fees follow a tiered Resident (R) and Non-Resident (NR) pricing structure across fitness center memberships ($85-$300 annually), pool season passes ($35-$90), preschool tuition ($141-$233 monthly), after-school care ($136-$280 monthly), summer camp ($133-$450), and facility rentals ($100-$500 per hour). Additional revenue comes from sports league entry fees ($100-$1,550 per team) and rental income from halls, gymnasiums, turf fields, and batting cages. The district is publicly governed by an elected Board of Commissioners and led by Executive Director Bill Otte, with no parent company or private equity ownership.

Name

Veterans Park District

Legal name

Veterans Park District

Website

https://vpdpark.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Veterans Park District is a municipal park district in Cook County, Illinois, operating 15 parks and five major facilities to deliver recreation, fitness, aquatics, preschool, camps, after-school care, and community programs to approximately 55,000 residents across Northlake, Melrose Park, Leyden Township, Franklin Park, and River Grove.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Recreation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Historical Sites (712120)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

Keywords

• Municipal recreation services
• Park district programs
• Community fitness center
• Aquatics and swim lessons
• Youth summer camps

Headquarters

HQ city

Illiopolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Revenue: As a park district, primary funding comes from property taxes collected from residents within the district boundaries. This provides baseline operational funding for parks and facilities maintenance.
2. Program Fees: Fees charged for recreational programs including camps, after school care, preschool, swim lessons, fitness classes, sports leagues, and special events. Fees are structured with resident (R) and non-resident (NR) rates.
3. Fitness Center Memberships: Annual memberships for Cimbalo Fitness Center including Adult ($160 R/$200 NR), Youth ($150 R/$180 NR), Family ($240 R/$300 NR), and Senior ($85 R/$110 NR) tiers. Daily passes available at $7 per visit.
4. Pool Season Passes and Daily Admission: Gouin Pool generates revenue through individual season passes ($70 R/$90 N, senior $35) and daily admission fees ($9-12 depending on age and residency). Early bird passes available at $50 R/$70 NR.
5. Facility Rentals: Revenue from renting halls (Trevino Hall, Glick Hall, Leoni Hall, Bulger Hall), gymnasiums, turf fields, batting cages, and pool for private events, corporate functions, and sports activities.
6. Sports League Fees: Team registration fees for adult basketball, softball, mushball, and bocce ball leagues. Entry fees range from $650-$1,550 per team depending on league type.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Veterans Park District is a municipal park district operating parks, recreation facilities, and programs across Northlake, Melrose Park, Leyden Township, Franklin Park, and River Grove in Cook County, Illinois. It sells recreation services including summer camps, after-school care, preschool education, swim lessons, fitness center memberships, adult and youth sports leagues, creative arts classes, active adult/senior programs, and special recreation programs for people with disabilities.

Product overview

Veterans Park District is a municipal recreation agency serving residents of Northlake, Melrose Park, Leyden Township, Franklin Park, and River Grove in Cook County, Illinois. The organization operates as a single unified park district offering a comprehensive portfolio of recreational programs and facilities rather than a technology product platform. Core service offerings include youth camps (Summer Day Camp, Junior Counselor Program, Pee Wee Tot Camp), before/after school care, preschool education, aquatics (VPD Swim Academy, Gouin Pool & Water Slides), adult and youth sports leagues, active adult/senior programming, creative arts, early childhood classes, and special recreation through WSSRA partnership. Facility operations span five main venues: Grant Park Recreation Center (gymnasium, halls, indoor track), George A. Leoni Complex (indoor turf, batting cages), Cimbalo Fitness Center & Museum, Gouin Pool & Water Slides, and Bulger Park Community Center. Additional offerings include travel excursions, special community events, and facility rentals for private events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Day Camp A structured summer camp program for children ages 6-12 offered at Grant Park and Bulger Park locations, featuring field trips, swim days, themed activities, and before/after care options. Includes lunch and afternoon snack.
• Pee Wee Tot Camp Preschool-aged camp (ages 3-5) at Bulger Park featuring summer-themed hands-on learning through art, music, outdoor play, and interactive projects.
• Junior Counselor Program A leadership development program for teens ages 13-15 to prepare for future camp counseling roles, including team building, communication, and planning skills.
• After School Care Extended care program for school-age children (grades K-5) providing homework assistance, creative arts, games, sports, and positive peer relationships from dismissal until 6 PM. Includes transportation from local schools.
• Building Blocks Preschool Play-based preschool program for children ages 3-5 at Bulger Park focusing on physical, social, intellectual, and creative development using Illinois Early Learning Standards curriculum. Snack included. 9-month program with monthly payments.
• VPD Swim Academy Six-level swim lesson program taught by Ellis Certified Lifeguards at Gouin Pool and Leyden High School, teaching progressive swimming skills and strokes from beginner to advanced levels.
• Gouin Pool & Water Slides Seasonal outdoor aquatic facility in Franklin Park featuring two water slides, zero-depth kiddie pool, waterfall mushroom pool, splash pads, and full concession stand. Open late May through late August.
• Adult Sports Leagues Organized competitive sports leagues including Men's 16-inch Softball, Co-ed 14-inch Mushball, Basketball, and Bocce Ball for adults ages 18+. Entry fees range from $100 to $1,550 per team.
• Youth Athletics Age-appropriate instruction in basketball, volleyball, baseball, tee ball, and soccer emphasizing teamwork and sportsmanship in a positive learning environment for youth participants.
• Active Adults & Seniors Programs Recreation programming for adults 55+ including WOW support group, Meet & Eat trips, Social Club, Crafts & Coffee, Films with Friends, Bingo with Lunch, Breakfast Club, and Chair Yoga.
• Cimbalo Fitness Center State-of-the-art fitness facility in Melrose Park featuring cardio equipment, strength training, circuit training, Cross-Functional Training Room, golf simulator, racquetball/handball/pickleball courts, sauna and steamroom, plus a museum showcasing local military and sports artifacts. Annual memberships and daily passes available.
• Grant Park Recreation Center Multi-purpose recreation center in Northlake housing administrative offices, full-size gymnasium, indoor exercise track, party/meeting rooms (Glick Hall capacity 250, Trevino Hall capacity 80), and indoor pickleball courts.
• George A. Leoni Complex Community center in Melrose Park featuring an 85'x180' indoor turf field, 90' batting cages, Leoni Hall for rentals (capacity 100), and indoor exercise track.
• Bulger Park Community Center Community center in Melrose Park housing Bulger Hall (capacity 325) with full kitchen, classrooms for preschool and programs, and outdoor park amenities. Hall rentals available.
• Creative Arts Classes Youth and teen classes including Real-Life Skills Workshop, Cartoon/Anime Drawing, Glam Makeover Spa Party, Hip Hop dance, Little Campers, and Art Mix.
• Early Childhood Programs Educational and fun classes for children ages 2-5 including Alphabet Adventures, Hops & Hoops, Wiggle & Giggle Gym, Little Chefs, Ballet, and Early Explorers.
• Special Recreation (WSSRA Partnership) Recreation programs for persons with disabilities offered through partnership with West Suburban Special Recreation Association, including fitness, art, Special Olympics, social, camp, swim programs, and Lekotek toy lending.
• Travel with VPD Day trip excursions departing from Grant Park including boat tours, White Sox games, lunch cruises, winery tours, and seasonal trips to destinations like Chicago Botanic Gardens and Starved Rock.
• Special Events Community events including Movies in the Park, Music in the Park, Autumn Fest, Haunt on Hirsch Street, Veterans Day Observance, Winter Wonderland, Food and Toy Drive, Breakfast with Santa, and Annual Softball Tournament.
• Fitness Classes Group fitness programming at Cimbalo Fitness Center including Pickleball lessons, Total Body Resistance, Zumba, Strong 30/Circle 30, Belly Dance, Pump and Sculpt, Outdoor Yoga, Youth Fit, and Youth Boxing.
• Facility Rentals Rental options for private events including halls (Glick Hall, Trevino Hall, Leoni Hall, Bulger Hall), gymnasium, turf fields, batting cages, and pool party packages.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership began at start of 2021 to increase programs and services for residents with special needs. WSSRA provides recreation programs for adults and children with physical, mental, or other disabilities. Also provides inclusion services for VPD programs including behavior management support and placement of inclusion aides. WSSRA offers Special Olympics, Lekotek toy lending, Imaginarium Sensory Room, and Summer Day Camp. Located at 2915 Maple Street, Franklin Park, IL 60131.
• School District 87 (Berkeley School District)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool District 87 provides free after-school meals for VPD's After School Care program. Also provides free lunch during summer for camp programs. School bus transportation available for after school care participants from District 83 schools (Roy, Scott, Westdale) and District 87 schools (Whittier, Riley).
• Leyden Township Basketball Co-OpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership launching winter for youth basketball league bringing together Leyden Recreation Department, Park District of Franklin Park, Schiller Park Recreation Department, Rosemont Park District, and Norridge Park District. Creates community-focused basketball experience with weekly games at rotating locations.
• Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD)minorOthersProvides PowerPlay! Beyond School Grants funded through Illinois Park District Youth License Plate sales. Grants support VPD's after-school programs for youth ages 5-13.
• City of NorthlakeminorOthersPartnership for Winter Wonderland event at Grant Park Recreation Center, with city participating in organizing holiday festivities.
• Village of Melrose ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park in River Woods, honoring courage and sacrifice of local Vietnam Veterans. Also partnered for joint events and community programming.
• Village of River GroveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Veterans Memorial Park dedicated to brave veterans of U.S. Armed Forces, serving as place of reflection and tribute.
• Little Joey's/Bacci PizzaminorOthersAffiliate of Bacci Pizza manages full-service concession stand and patio at Gouin Pool, offering food and beverages during pool season.
• Step Into Swim / Every Child a Swimmer InitiativeminorOthersGrant program dedicated to providing high-quality, multi-level learn-to-swim programs. VPD received funding for free swim lessons at summer day camp through this initiative.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Leyden Township Recreation Department: Township-level recreation provider whose service area overlaps VPD's; co-leads the Leyden Basketball Co-Op with VPD. Offers directly comparable parks, youth athletics, and recreation programming to the same resident base.
• Norridge Park District: Neighboring municipal park district participating in the VPD-led basketball co-op. Operates a comparable portfolio of parks, fitness, and youth programming for residents in adjacent Cook County suburbs.
• Park District of Franklin Park: Neighboring municipal park district within the same western-Chicago suburbs that directly partners with VPD on the Leyden Township Basketball Co-Op. Operates comparable parks, fitness, and recreation programs for a similar-sized community.
• Rosemont Park District: Adjacent Cook County park district that co-participates with VPD in the youth basketball co-op. Provides the same municipal parks/recreation service model to residents of a similarly sized suburban community.
• Schiller Park Recreation Department: Adjacent recreation provider that joins VPD in the Leyden Township Basketball Co-Op. Delivers the same municipal recreation model — parks, programs, and facility rentals — to a nearby western-Chicago suburb.

Broad incumbents

• Elmhurst Park District: Larger suburban Chicago park district offering a comparable range of facilities (fitness center, pool, sports leagues, preschool, camps) under the same municipal-recreation model, but at meaningfully greater scale.
• Carol Stream Park District: Suburban Chicago park district offering a directly comparable service mix (parks, fitness, swim, sports leagues, preschool, camps). Similar Illinois municipal-recreation governance structure and resident-base size to VPD.
• Oak Park Park District: Larger, established suburban Chicago park district operating an overlapping mix of parks, pools, fitness centers, and recreation programs. Comparable operating model but serves a denser, more urbanized community with a broader portfolio.
• Downers Grove Park District: Established DuPage County park district operating a comparable parks/facilities/programs portfolio (including fitness, pools, preschool, and adult leagues) under the same Illinois park-district governance model as VPD.

Others

• West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA): Partner special recreation association (SRA) that VPD contracts with to deliver adaptive programming, inclusion aides, Special Olympics, and sensory-room services to VPD residents with disabilities. Industry/ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYDY8OUyhb9ov8X7hWWtECw
• Facebookfacebook.com/vpdparks
• Instagraminstagram.com/vpdpark
• Xx.com/VPDpark

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Veterans Park District