Posted on October 6, 2025
The Carol Stream Park District proudly nominated its Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Carol Stream for the Illinois Association of Park Districts Best of the Best Gala in recognition of the collaborative efforts that transformed Community Park into a thriving, inclusive recreational hub. This project exemplifies the power of partnership, vision and shared commitment to serving residents.
Community Park’s origins trace back to its ownership by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and the Village of Carol Stream. In 1980, a cooperative agreement was formed among the Carol Stream, Wheaton, and Glen Ellyn Park Districts to jointly maintain the park and provide programming, as each district’s boundaries overlapped the site. This arrangement worked for many years, but by 2013 the cooperative dissolved.
The Carol Stream Park District continued minimal maintenance—mowing fields, setting up soccer nets—but the park fell into disrepair. To keep the site alive, the Park District launched community outreach efforts, inviting local students each summer to help clean up. Meanwhile, the Village worked behind the scenes to address parcel identification issues with the DuPage County Recorder. These early actions laid the foundation for a renewed vision of what Community Park could become.
Recognizing the need to restore and revitalize the site, the Park District and Village worked together to evaluate parcels most suitable for recreational use. Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) were crafted to facilitate the land transfer. The result was a seamless process that placed 17 acres of parkland under Park District ownership without requiring a lease or loan—saving taxpayer money and preserving the land for recreational use.
This acquisition fulfilled a long-term strategic goal: providing recreational amenities in the southeast quadrant of Carol Stream, a densely populated, low-income and underserved area. The neighborhood surrounding the park includes senior living facilities, multi-family housing and commercial development. The Village and Park District shared a vision to bring high-quality amenities to these residents and to create a gathering place that would strengthen community bonds.
In January 2022, the Park District secured a $1 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), matched with District funds, to fund redevelopment. Community involvement played a key role in shaping the master plan. A bilingual website, surveys, in-person and virtual meetings invited residents to share ideas for the park’s future.
The Village entered into an IGA with the Park District to expand wetlands adjacent to the site, improving stormwater management and allowing for additional recreational features including an extra soccer field and accessible community gardens. The Carol Stream Police Department advised on safety and visibility in the park, helping make the redeveloped space both welcoming and secure.
Construction began with a groundbreaking on April 17, 2023 and culminated in a ribbon-cutting on September 9, 2024. Community Park now boasts a wide range of amenities designed to serve residents of all ages and abilities, including:
To celebrate the park, in May 2025, the Park District partnered with the Village, Carol Stream Police Department, Public Library, Public Works, Fire Protection District, Community Outreach and local sponsors to host the inaugural “Kick-Off to Summer” event. The evening featured free activities, entertainment, and food for families, with strong turnout from residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. This event was so successful that it will become an annual tradition.
The Community Park project stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when local government agencies join forces with a common goal. The Village of Carol Stream’s donation of land, legal collaboration and stormwater partnership were instrumental in bringing this vision to life. The Carol Stream Park District’s leadership in planning, securing funding, and engaging residents made the redevelopment both responsive to community needs and financially responsible.
Today, Community Park is a thriving recreational centerpiece that reflects the shared values of the Village and Park District: inclusivity, sustainability and connection. The success of Community Park demonstrates how intergovernmental partnerships can leverage resources, reduce taxpayer burden, and maximize community benefit. Together, the Village of Carol Stream and the Park District turned Community Park into a well-used neighborhood space — a place for play, sports, gardening and family gatherings that reflects the strength of their partnership.
