About Us

Mission Statement
The Tinley Park-Park District is committed to creative recreational programming opportunities and outstanding customer service while providing and maintaining quality recreational facilities and parks to enhance the quality of life in Tinley Park.

Vision
The vision of Tinley Park-Park District is to be the first choice of the residents in their pursuit of recreational opportunities.

Values
Respect – Tinley Park–Park District employees are energetic, loyal, and supportive of one another. We encourage each other to reach our highest potential and are committed to gaining the skills, knowledge, and training to achieve our goals. We serve our patrons with courtesy and dignity, recognizing the impact our actions have on the quality of life now and in the future. We value each other’s opinions and ideas as well as those of our patrons.
Integrity – We fulfill commitments in a timely and accurate manner, using resources responsibly and creatively, and observing all legal, moral, and ethical standards to meet the needs of the community.
Accountability – We accept responsibility and are accountable for our performance by acting with fairness, honesty, integrity, and open communication.
Excellence – We provide quality services focused on customer value and financial performance. We provide a professional environment committed to putting the safety of its employees and patrons first. We strive to continually improve the workplace by rewarding accomplishments and encouraging employee involvement at all levels of the organization.

The Tinley Park-Park District is located in the Village of Tinley Park, a southwest suburb of Chicago, just 30 minutes southwest of downtown Chicago. The Park District maintains 40 parks, 33 ball fields and several facilities.

Its premier facility is the Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center located at 8125 W. 171st Street. The Recreation Center amenities include an indoor jogging/walking track, gymnasium with three basketball courts and six volleyball courts, lounge/museum, meeting rooms, program rooms, arts and crafts room, teen and senior drop-in centers, an indoor batting cage, and a teaching kitchen.

The Park District also operates Tinley Fitness, Landmark Museum & Church, McCarthy Recreation Building, Tinley Junction Miniature Golf & Batting Cages, Vogt Visual Arts Center, The Extreme Skate Park, White Water Canyon Water Park & Spray Ground, Canine Campus Dog Park and the Tinley Park Performing Arts Center.

You can read about facilities, programs and special events in the Park District’s seasonal brochure. You may view an electronic version of our brochure here. For more information on any of the Tinley Park-Park District facilities and programs, please call 708-342-4200.

On July 1, 1967, residents of Tinley Park voted to approve the formation of the Tinley Park-Park District.  The Village population was 8,000.  The Village turned over Lewis Park and Memorial Park to the Park District.  “Moose” Nasebandt Park was purchased in 1968, and the first District program, Boys 5^th-8^th grade Basketball was established.   In 1969 the property at 168^th and 80^th Avenue, now known as McCarthy Park, was acquired and named in honor of the first Chairman of the Village’s Youth Commission.

The Park District grew rapidly over the next decade, acquiring additional park properties and hiring its first full-time Director, Robert Fiore.  Mr. Fiore served the Park District until 1995.  The 1970s saw the birth of the still popular Day Camp program and the construction of the Vogt Woods Recreation Building.  The District joined the South Suburban Special Recreation Association in 1979.

The McCarthy Recreation and Administration buildings opened in the early 1980s.  Installation of baseball field lights, the purchase of Jaycee Grove and the opening of the batting cages, concessions and mini-golf course in 1987 further increased the opportunity for the entire community to enjoy many hours of fun at McCarthy Park.  In 1989 the District also purchased the Tony Bettenhausen farm at 171^st and 80^th Avenue.

Tinley Park-Park District continued to expand its park system and program offerings throughout the 1990s.  The building at 175^th & Duvan was purchased and renovated into Tinley Fitness.  The Vogt house was added to the Cultural Arts program with Landmark Church and Museum. In 1999 an $80,000 Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant was received for the construction of a bike path on the Bettenhausen farm property.

After three previous attempts to secure funding, in 2000, a bond issue was passed to build a community recreation center and water park, and a grant was obtained for the development of Community Park.  On August 27, 2000, the ground was broken for the construction of the recreation center.  Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center & Museum opened in December 2001, and the White Water Canyon Water Park opened in 2002.

Since then, the District has seen tremendous growth and improvements throughout the park system.  Some highlights include:

• Town Pointe Park, which includes 15 acres of wetlands with a boardwalk
• Construction of the state-of-the-art Freedom Park sports complex
• Renovation of the McCarthy Administration and Recreation buildings into program space and the Tinley Park Performing Arts Center
• Construction of the 30,000 square foot Tinley Fitness addition to the Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center
• Opening of Canine Campus off-leash dog park

Now, Tinley Park-Park District stands at 42 park sites, with over 400 full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees serving the Village population that has increased seven-fold since 1967, as well as many non-resident park patrons.

As we head into the next phase of development, we continue to dedicate ourselves to providing excellent programs, outstanding facilities and exceptional customer service to all our patrons.   Please take a few minutes to explore this website and see all that the Tinley Park-Park District has to offer!

2018 General Use Ordinance
The Board of Commissioners of the Tinley Park-Park District approved the General Use Ordinance in March 2011. It was updated in September 2018, and the Board of Commissioners of the Tinley Park-Park District approved the updates in October 2018. View the General Use Ordinance here.