About Gurnee Park District
Gurnee Park District is a municipal governing agency, providing parks, recreation facilities and programs for its residents. The District is governed by a Board of Commissioners, made up of five elected officials, each serving four-year terms. The Gurnee Park District, incorporated in 1968, is in Northeastern Lake County, about 45 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop and within commuting distance of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The District serves all residents of the Village of Gurnee, as well as residents of certain subdivisions in unincorporated Warren Township and Waukegan Township. The Park District currently encompasses 14.73 square miles and a population of 33,706.
Keeping up with today's active families, Gurnee Park District provides a full range of activities including Adult Leisure, Arts & Crafts, Before and After School Care, Dance, Fitness, Gymnastics, Aquatic programs, Preschool, Senior Citizen Mixers, Youth and Adult Athletics, Day Camps, Rentals and Special Events. The Park District owns and operates the 1500 bather load Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center, Viking Park Community Center, Hunt Club Park Community Center and FitNation, a 75,000 square foot fitness center. Also, the district has 28 park locations with many amenities including sports fields, playgrounds, circulation trails and preservation areas.
Mission
Promoting Fun. Preserving Nature
The mission of Gurnee Park District is “Promoting Fun. Preserving Nature.” This mission encompasses everything the park district stands by in its goal to provide fun and exciting activities and events to the community while working to preserve green land and nature for current and future generations.
Vision
As a nationwide leader in our field, be the premier provider of community-driven and innovative park and recreation experiences, while maintaining financial stability.
What Is A Strategic and Master Plan?
It is a roadmap and a shared vision for the future of parks, recreation and community services and is shaped by community values, unmet needs and evolving demographics and trends.
How Does This Affect Me?
Did you know that spending time in parks and participating in recreation activities can improve you and your family's health? Research has consistently shown that even moderate exercise, a 30-min walk, and just time outdoors in nature boosts your physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. From property values to economic impact and rebuilding a sense of community pride, parks and recreation provide a tremendous benefit to Gurnee Park District.
What Are The Plan’s Goals?
This plan has the following key goals
- Ensure an inclusive community outreach process to identify the community’s current needs
- Identify trends and next practices to move Gurnee Park District forward
- Ensure equitable access to all parks and program offerings community-wide
- Position the District for future funding and partnership opportunities
- Co-create a community vision that is centered on equity
How can I share my
vision for the future?
The community engagement process offers a variety of ways to provide your input starting with the open-ended comment box on this digital engagement platform
- Share your feedback through the statistically valid or online survey
- Participate in community and neighborhood focus groups
- Attend the community listening sessions
- Visit our Information Booth at community events to share your feedback
- Email us at Neelay.bhatt@BeNextPractice.com
or kowens@gurneeparkdistrict.com
Who Is Responsible For
This Master Plan?
Gurnee Park District staff is leading this work internally and are collaborating externally with lead consultant Next Practice Partners, a national leader in inclusive and innovative planning.
