Standard: Historical and cultural plans include an inventory of historical, cultural resources and strategies for how they will be managed. These resources may be addressed as part of the jurisdiction’s comprehensive plan or the agency’s park and recreation system master plan.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide the historical and cultural plan(s).
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
In a community well-known as the 1899 birthplace of author Ernest Hemingway and home to architect Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio, the mix of history and culture plays an important role in the identity of Oak Park.
The Park District of Oak Park owns three historic resources that are listed in the National Register for Historic Places including:
- Oak Park Conservatory, constructed in 1929
- Pleasant Home, constructed in 1897 and designed by noted Prairie School architect George W Maher
- Scoville Park, constructed in 1913 and designed by famous landscape architect Jens Jensen
In addition to the National Register listing, Pleasant Home is also a National Historic Landmark and 1 of only 86 in Illinois. Several other Park District parks and facilities are part of National Register Historic Districts and/or Village of Oak Park Landmarks. The Park District's 2015-2024 Comprehensive Master Plan contains a Historic Preservation Plan and Recommendations1.
The Park District of Oak Park is supportive of arts and culture in our parks and facilities and contributing to the overall arts and culture offerings in the community by displaying public works of art and offering artistic and cultural educational and entertainment options to the community. The Village of Oak Park's Envision Oak Park Comprehensive Plan Art and Culture section2 outlines the Cultural Plan for Oak Park.
Documentation:
- 02.08.00_Historical-Plan-in-2015-2024-Comprehensive-Master-Plan.pdf
- 02.08.00_Arts-and-Culture-Plan-in-Envision-Oak-Park-Comprehensive-Plan.pdf
Agency Self Assessment: MET