In 1968, the population in Gurnee (based on the 1965 Census), was 2,167. Over the past 40 years, the Gurnee Park District has acquired over 28 park sites with a total of 380 acres of open space, which includes a 133 acre nature preserve, 24 playgrounds, 14 basketball courts, 6 tennis courts, 5 volleyball courts, 20 soccer fields, 9 baseball fields and 3 skate parks.

Please enjoy the timeline of some of the many Park District accomplishments over the past 40 years:

1968 Gurnee Park District established

1972 Viking Park property purchased

1973 1st Annual Gurnee Days held in Viking Park

1974 1st Season for Concert Under the Stars

1977 Life Course Jogging Trail Constructed at Viking Park; Woodlawn Park completed

1979 Chittenden Park completed

1981 Warren Special Recreation Association (WSRA) established

1982 Gowe Memorial Park title transferred from Village of Gurnee to Park District

1988 Aquatic Programming expanded through the use of Warren High School indoor pool; First Annual Tree Dedication Ceremony

1989 Viking Park Singers Community Chorus Organized

1991 Friends of the Gurnee Park District established to support park district initiatives Kings Park completed; Westgate Park completed; Southridge Park completed

1997 University Park Completed; Shaw Park completed; Vineyard Park Playground completed

1998 Introduced Gurnee Park District Website; Timberwoods Park completed

2000 Viking and Petersen Park improvements completed, Providence Park completed First Arbor Day Celebration

2001 First Farmer’s Market Viking Park Community Center major addition and renovations completed

2002 Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center opened

2003 Designed and built Gurnee Park District’s 1st Skate Park at Viking Park

2006 Hunt Club Park Community Center opened

2008 O’Plaine Park Playground redeveloped; Gurnee Park District celebrates 40 years!