Waukegan, Illinois (August 9, 2024) – The Waukegan Park District will hold a public input meeting for potential future renovations at Roosevelt Park on Monday, August 12, 2024 from 5pm to 6:30pm at the park, located at 520 S. McAlister Avenue. With park improvements anticipated in the next few years, public input will assist in guiding the planning process.
Acquired on July 10, 1917, Roosevelt Park is the first park established by the Waukegan Park District. Before the acquisition, the land was owned by Judge William K. McAllister, who opened McAllister Springs. The five natural mineral springs on the land eventually became known as the Quintette Springs. Individuals visited the springs to drink the water, thinking the spring water had curative powers for various ailments. Roosevelt Park is named after President Theodore Roosevelt, who was known as “the conservationist president” for using his authority to protect wildlife and public lands.
Roosevelt Park was recently enlarged with the acquisition of the two adjacent properties on McAlister Avenue. The Waukegan Park District and Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County – Waukegan opened the Adaptive Recreation Center, located at 540 S. McAlister Avenue in Roosevelt Park. The facility was formerly vacant and has been renovated into programming space designed for individuals with disabilities. The facility features unique and innovative rooms, including a sensory room, an art and music room, a media room, a demonstration kitchen, a multi-purpose room, and two activity rooms.
In case of inclement weather, the public input meeting will be held indoors at the Adaptive Recreation Center, located at 540 S. McAlister Avenue in Roosevelt Park. More information is available at waukeganparks.org/roosevelt.
About the Waukegan Park District
Established on December 26, 1916, the Waukegan Park District (WPD) has 53 properties and more than 742 acres of land, including the 18-hole Bonnie Brook and 9-hole Greenshire Golf Courses. Properties are managed to the highest environmental and conservation standards. Facilities operated by the WPD include the Field House Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Center, Waukegan’s Greg Petry SportsPark, Waukegan Skate Park, BMX Track, SplashZone, Percussion Playground, recreational centers, disc golf course, dog exercise area and agility course, outdoor sports fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, splash pads, and sports courts including basketball, tennis and pickleball. A full range of programs and services are offered year-round for all ages, from infants to seniors, as well as special need populations. Healthy lifestyles, wellness initiatives, and a connection with the outdoors and nature are integrated throughout programs, services, and special events. Arts and cultural activities are provided by the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus, and the Waukegan History Museum. We offer something for everyone!
A member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), and the Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA), the WPD employs 73 full-time and 219 part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees and is recognized by the IPRA as an Exceptional Workplace.
Nationally accredited by the NRPA Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and State accredited through the IAPD Distinguished Agency Accreditation, the WPD has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Triple Crown Award for receiving the GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The WPD was awarded the NRPA National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in 2013, and was named a Gold Medal Finalist in 2012, 2013, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Media Contact
Josue Pasillas, MPA
Communications Supervisor
Waukegan Park District
(847) 360-4789
jpasillas@waukeganparks.org
waukeganparks.org