On May 11, 1996, Park Place Family Recreation Center celebrated its official grand opening in Streamwood during the Streamwood Park District’s 30th anniversary year of 1996. Now as Park Place turns 30 in 2026, we look back on how this storied facility came to be.
In a 1991 community survey, more than 1,100 respondents stated a new community center should be the Park District’s highest priority. At that time with Streamwood’s population rising and the demand for more programs steadily increasing, the Park District began to outgrow the 20-year-old Streamwood Community Center in Shady Oaks Park and the need for a new facility became evident.
In February 1994, the Streamwood Park District unveiled conceptual plans to the public for a proposed $7.6 million, two-story, 56,500-square-foot multi-use recreation and aquatic center. A subsequent referendum passed the ballot in March 1994 approving a tax increase to fund the construction of the new facility to be built on a 9-acre site at Dolphin Park on Parkside Circle and Park Blvd adjacent to St. John the Evangelist church. Construction began in early 1995, which included the demoliltion of the old shuttered Parkside Center building.
A community naming contest for the new facility was conducted and out of more than 50 suggestions the name Park Place was selected in May 1995.
On April 1, 1996, Park Place Family Recreation Center, 550 S. Park Blvd., opened it’s doors to the community. After a brief delay, the Aquatic Center opened in early May followed by the official grand opening ceremonies, which included a formal dinner-dance and balloon drop in the gymnasium on May 10 and a ribbon cutting ceremony with trustees, staff and local dignitaries on May 11.
Since its inception 30 years ago, Park Place has hosted countless programs, events, swim lessons, group fitness classes, organized sports practices and games, youth and senior activities, day camps, preschool classes, personal training sessions, dance and music academy classes, meetings, parties and rentals, open swims and gyms, and much more!
The above article is an excerpt from our “Summer of ’96” commemorative brochure celebrating Park Place’s 30th Anniversary in 2026. This limited edition print piece will be available to pick up at Park Place Family Recreation Center, 550 S. Park Blvd., beginning Monday, May 11 while supplies last. We thank our print sponsor Elgin Community College for partnering with us on this project.