History of the Park District of Oak Park

Oak Park won national recognition for programs, including, “Boys’ Playground Band”, “Shelter House Design Contest” (won by Oak Parker John S. VanBergen), “Murals Contest”, “Junior Art Museum”, “Library on Wheels”, as well as playground landscaping and beautification.

The Kettlestring boulder commemorating the first Oak Park settler was placed in the southwest corner of Scoville Park.

Park buildings were constructed at Field Park, Stevenson Park, Andersen Park and Carroll Park.

An old ballbearing factory was purchased at Garfield and Clarence which was renovated and used for offices by the Recreation Board.

The Oak Park Conservatory was constructed for $25,000 at the southwest corner of Garfield and East Avenues for the propagation of plants to be used in outdoor flower beds in the parks. The Conservatory would also be host to seasonal flower shows and displays.

Land was purchased for Euclid Square Park, originally called “New South Park.”

Paintings depicting each author’s characters were added to the playground buildings at Stevenson, Andersen, Carroll, Longfellow and Field.

The Park Board approved the playing of ball games in the parks on Sundays as long as no money or tickets were collected.

Barrie Center, named after James Barrie who was the author of Peter Pan, was purchased, designed and developed following the approval of a $50,000 bond issue at the height of the depression years.

Recreation Board programs for children included dancing, folk singing, pageantry, drama, athletics, handicraft, aviation, acrobatics, chess, horseback riding, nature study, junior police, boxing and wrestling, puppetry, sewing and cooking. Adult programs included art, gymnastic classes, tap dancing, aviation, contract bridge, neighborhood clubs, sewing, cooking, story and play writing.

Playgrounds were open weekdays from 3:00 -9:00pm during the school year, and 9:00am-9:00pm in the summer. Playgrounds were closed on Sunday afternoons and evenings, except during ice skating weather!

Park buildings and comfort stations were constructed in Scoville Park, Ridgeland Common, Rehm Park, Taylor Park, and Lindberg Park.

Mills Park was established. This property was originally owned by Herbert Mills and family who sold it to the Park District. At this time, Pleasant Home was used as a community building.

The centerpiece of Scoville Park, a granite and bronze Monument to WWI veterans was dedicated on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 1925. In attendance at the dedication ceremony was then Vice President of the United States, General C.G. Dawes.

A Park District Police Department was established to patrol the parks. This Department was disbanded in the 1960’s.

Henry W. Austin donates the property presently called Austin Gardens to the Park District although transfer of the property does not officially occur until Mrs. Austin’s death in 1954.

The Playground Board favors closing Woodbine Street between Division and Berkshire to make one large recreational area for Field Park/Mann School.