Rockford Park District

The 14th RPS 205 academy expo was held at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two today, featuring 2,000 freshmen students and 100 regional businesses and organizations! Rockford Park District hosted 3 booths, including graphic design, information technology, and therapeutic recreation!

Did you know that Black Hawk Park housed a zoo that contained a Bengal tiger, a buffalo, monkeys, and an elephant from 1919 to 1921? The zoo was operated by a local Zoological Society and was known to draw crowds by the thousands at times. However, the zoo’s main attraction—“Rockford’s white elephant” known as Big Babe 🐘—was donated by the Ringling Brothers Circus and quite literally ate the zoo out of operation. Babe was said to consume $3,000 worth of food annually (roughly $49,000 in today’s value). Combined with the other costs of feeding and caring for the other animals, the Zoological Society simply couldn’t afford to keep the zoo open, leading to its closure. #rockfordhistory

New Dog Park Coming to Alpine Park! 🐾 Thank you to everyone who attended our recent informational meeting at Alpine Park to review plans for a new dog park! Your questions, feedback, and ideas were incredibly valuable and will help guide the next steps of this project. A new dog park at Alpine Park is needed because the land where the current Elliot Dog Park is located will eventually be sold. The Rockford Park District remains committed to building a brand-new dog park in southeast Rockford to replace Elliot Dog Park. We also appreciate the members of the Canine Corners Advisory Committee for providing thoughtful input throughout this process and touring various potential locations, helping us confirm that Alpine Park is a great fit for our furry friends to run and play. The Alpine Park location offers opportunities to include many of the features our community has asked for: • Fenced Open Play Area with Shelter – A large, covered shelter to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the park while your dog plays • Convenient On-Site Amenities – Electricity, running water, restrooms, and accessible parking already on site • Opportunity for Agility Equipment – For dogs who love a challenge • Separate Small Dog Area – A safe space just for smaller pups We’re excited to continue moving this vision forward and will share construction timelines soon.

We are thrilled to take part in a historic and monumental groundbreaking ceremony for the International Women's Baseball Center (IWBC) at Beyer Park! This milestone event celebrates the official start of this iconic stadium restoration following the success of IWBC’s A Place of Their Own Phase One Campaign. The festivities are set for Monday, October 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. just inside of the ticket booth entrance of Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park. Enjoy networking, a special program featuring guest speakers, photo opportunities with Maybelle Blair, light refreshments, beverages, and music.

Introducing the brand-new Clarence Hicks Sports Complex stadium in south Rockford! This facility will be the permanent home for football, track & field, youth sports programs, and community outreach initiatives. Tonight, the Rockford Wolves host their homecoming game with the first kickoff at 3 PM. Admission is free, and the community is invited to come out and support! 🐺

With fall approaching, the summer tournament season is winding down. Our large-scale tournaments at Mercyhealth Sportscore One & Two, UW Health Sports Factory, and soon Clarence Hicks Sports Complex—along with other facilities—bring thousands of visitors to the Rockford Region. These events not only give guests a chance to explore and make memories in our community, but they also strengthen our local economy through hotel stays, dining, and shopping at area businesses. A big thank you goes out to our staff across all facilities for making this season a success by organizing events, preparing fields and courts, and delivering excellent customer service throughout the summer!

Entertainment comes in many forms at Washington Park Community Center! check out how the Lü Projector offers a new opportunity for kids to have interactive fun!

🌟 Gold Star Performers! Recognizing outstanding staff and teams who go above and beyond to serve our community: 🌟 Kate Holstrum & Ethan Benhoff –, These two consistently create a supportive environment where both campers and staff can thrive at Nature Quest. They go above and beyond to make campers feel welcome. 🌟 Shannon Schumacher – Shannon leads the District’s Teen Camp for youth with disabilities, an exceptional program that leaves a lasting impact on campers and staff alike. Parents and staff share feedback like, “My child loves coming to camp” and “I went into the field of serving people with disabilities because of this job.” 🌟 David Gray – David is a true example of the District’s “One Team, One Goal” spirit. A standout example  came this summer when the AC failed at one of our facilities and temperatures climbed to 92°. David gathered fans from the Indoor Sports Center and personally purchased Gatorade for staff to keep them safe and hydrated. 🌟 Selena McLain – In her first year as Softball & Facility Supervisor, Selena has exceeded expectations in every way. But what stands out most is her dedication — when umpire shortages arose, she took the initiative to become a certified One Nation Umpire so she could step in and officiate games herself. 🌟 Kuenzi Dearth-Horwich – Leading the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Department, Kuenzi has built a program defined by compassion, inclusion, and impact. Her leadership creates an environment filled with genuine connection. 🌟 Carson Olofson – Carson has played a key role in elevating the District’s visibility and amplifying the positive stories of our programs. Through strategic social media planning and creative storytelling, he has helped the District reach new and more diverse audiences. 🌟 Derek Papich – Derek stands out as a leader and mentor who invests in the growth of others. His mentorship not only prepares staff for their current roles but also equips them with tools for their future careers. 🌟 Indoor Sports Center & Sports Factory Team – Hosting the AAU Rockin’ Rockford Grand Prix Volleyball Tournament required incredible teamwork, flexibility, and dedication.

Summer is the season for sports tourism! The Rockford Park District was proud to once again host the NJCAA All In Volleyball Opening Weekend Tournament (OWT), returning to Rockford for its fifth year! Now recognized as the largest two-year college women’s volleyball event in the nation, OWT brought together 81 college programs from 18 states and 15 NJCAA regions, featuring 1,550 student-athletes, 200 coaches, 45 officials and Nearly 6,000 spectators. 450 hotel rooms were filled and an estimated $1.2 million economic impact was generated for our region. The tournament also involves the local community, with Rockford-area volleyball programs helping staff the event and receiving more than $30,000 in fundraising support in recent years!