Timeline

Lawrence Park donated to the Sterling Park District and Coloma Park District by the Lawrence family.

Lawrence Park pool opened. Owned and operated by both the Sterling Park District and the Coloma Township Park District.

Kilgour Park property was acquired. Named in honor of local Civil War hero, General W.M. Kilgour. Kilgour Park was the original site of General Kilgour’s farm.

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Hoover Park property purchased from Edward Hoover as an extension of Sinnissippi Park.

Douglas Park property was donated to the Sterling Park District. The park was named after Douglas Park Subdivision, as it is surrounded by a housing development.

Eberley Park property was purchased. Named in honor of Fred H. Eberley who was one of the founders and organizers of the Sterling Park District.

Gartner Park property was donated to the Sterling Park District. Named after Carl Gartner, who was a member of the Park Board from 1939-1965.

Scheid Park property was purchased. Named in honor of Ted Scheid, Jr., member of the Park Board from 1947-1958.

Duis Center property was purchased, and recreation facility constructed at a cost of $520,895 or $1784/square foot. Named after Frank R. Duis, the first Director of the Park District, serving in that capacity from 1961-1988.

Sterling Park District’s 50th Anniversary.

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Sterling/Coloma Township Park District joint management of Lawrence Park pool was dissolved in 1974. The pool was renovated with a federal grant and matching funds obtained via a successful referendum.

Winner of the National Gold Medal Award sponsored by the National Parks and Recreation Association for excellence in long-term planning, resource management and innovative approaches to delivering superb park and recreation services with a fiscally sound business practice.

Frasor Center was constructed. Originally housing the Sterling Park District’s indoor ice rink and general storage area, it now is home to the District’s administrative offices and park maintenance area. Named in honor of J.W. Frasor, Park Board member from 1961-1978.

Dillon Home property was donated to the Sterling Park District.

Baldwin Steam Engine #73 was retired and moved to the south lawn of the Dillon Home Museum. Until its retirement, the engine was operational at Northwestern Steel & Wire, and was the last steam engine working in the United States in an industrial application.

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Sterling Park District’s 60th Anniversary.

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Fire in the Westwood track building caused nearly $1,000,000 in damage.

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Westwood Buildings #1 and #2, along with the surrounding property, were purchased/donated to the Sterling Park District

Propheter Park (the old Central School property) donated to the Sterling Park District by Bob Propheter.

Imagination Station constructed at Kilgour Park.

Emerald Hill Golf Course was purchased by the Sterling Park District.

First of many phases to complete a community-wide bike path system started, beginning with the bike path from Hoover Park to Sinnissippi Park.

Sterling Park District wins the Sports Illustrated Community of the Year Award for being a “Good Sports Community”.

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Sinnissippi Park to Martin’s Landing bike path constructed.

Acquired Redfield Park from Dennis and Brad Redfield.

Westwood Building #2 closed to the public. Area used for storage.

Bike path located behind Westwood and continuing to the corner of Lynn Boulevard and LeFevre was constructed.

Duis Center re-opened after a 7-month $4.4 million renovation project.

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Fire in Building #1 at Westwood caused nearly $2,000,000 in damage.

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Indoor pickleball begins at Westwood. First in Building #1, then in Building #3 (2019).

Westwood Building #3 vestibule/elevator project completed.

Westwood Tennis Center (Building #2) opened.

Outdoor pickleball courts constructed at Thomas Park.

Dogwood Acres dog park opened at Thomas Park.

Section 1 of the Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) bike path constructed from the Hoover Park parking lot to Parkview Road. The first of many sections to be completed between Hoover Park and SVCC.

Section 3 of the SVCC bike path (between Woodlawn Road and River Road) was constructed.

With funding from the Sterling School District, Diamond #7 at Gartner Park was renovated with field turf, new dugouts, new fencing, and several other improvements.

Section 4 of the SVCC bike path (River Road to 43rd Avenue) to be completed.

Performance Lab at Westwood to open (Building #1).