Priorities

We are a park district rich in history that was built through the generosity of its citizens, strategic partnerships, and dedicated team members. Even in times of significant economic downturns, we’ve been able to consistently provide outstanding park and recreational offerings to our community; however, with declining revenue both through fees and a declining tax base, along with population and demographic shifts, it has become difficult to provide the same level of service without an increase in revenue or a decrease in our footprint.

In 2018, the District directly engaged with an estimated 37,000 youth and adults over a six-month process. Based on feedback from the community, the Rockford Park District developed a five-year strategic plan and revised priorities to address how to best accomplish our mission and fulfill our vision given the current economic, demographic, and environmental challenges facing the Rockford region.  The Strategic Plan provides a series of recommendations that will help guide investment in District assets, along with decisions regarding obsolete, underutilized, or non-trending parks, facilities, and amenities. Feedback regarding recreational needs is being used to determine areas to reinvest in, eliminate, or strategically add. Citizens deemed top priorities, such as neighborhood parks, playgrounds, youth programs, Washington Park Community Center, and trails, along with arts and cultural programming.

2020 Action Plan

To further invest in the communities’ priority areas, the District must free up operational and capital dollars.  We listened to what 37,000 citizens told us and are following through with how we can reduce our footprint, live within our means, and prioritize limited resources on services that benefit the entire community and that are critical not only to the success of our lives, but also the lives of others. Our community told us that they did not want their tax dollars going toward services that are more individual benefit areas as fees and other non-property tax revenues should cover those costs.

In order to have strong neighborhood parks, connected paths and trails, the ability to invest in priority areas, and to further invest in our next generation we need to reduce our footprint and decrease property tax dependency.  

In 1909, Levin Faust, founder of the Rockford Park District and a Swedish immigrant who dreamed of living in a community where residents could enjoy places of beauty, stated, “A working family should be able to spend their free time in the green grass under the shadow of trees without fear of their children playing in the streets.” Those words are just as true today.