Westchester Park District History.

The Westchester Park District was formed by a special referendum on August 25, 1956.  Prior to that time the Village of Westchester owned recreational facilities consisting of one acre of ground located at Drury Lane and Gardner Road.  This was to serve the needs of the Village of 12,710 residents of which 35% were children under 18 years of age.  Residents of special study groups selected a Program Director to set up the programs, establish costs, determine available faculties and arrange for their use.  With the assistance and cooperation of the School Board and their personnel the public school facilities were used.  All teen events were conducted outside of the Village of Westchester.
On July 6, 1957, the Board of Trustees of School District 92-1/2 deeded  to the Park District its acreage immediately west of High Ridge School. 
On July 9, 1957, the Westchester Village Board deeded the Drury Lane Tot lot to the Park District.
The Mayfair Park property was purchased from Walter S. Baltis (a local home builder) in December of 1957 by the park district.  Its development was delayed until Mayfair Avenue was extended to provide access to the park area.
The first park district building, which served as temporary headquarters for the park district, was completed in August of 1959 located at 9800 Drury Lane.  It was eventually to be used as a warehouse for equipment and supplies.
On December 3, 1959, ground was broken for the recreation building to be constructed in Westchester Community Park at the southwest corner of Westchester Boulevard and Bond Street.  The Westchester Recreation Center opened on Monday, January 8, 1961 with a full schedule of activities. 
The outdoor 25 meter pool was dedicated with a ribbon cutting event on June 5, 1977 and officially opened on June 11, 1977 at 1:00 P.M.
As of 1983 there had been a five superintendents and 31 commissioners.  Members of the board have included Thomas E. Stanger,  President; Robert C. Cooley, Vice President; Nicholas J. Cooney, William J.  Pearch and Eleanore M. Rads.  Prior to being Village President, John Sinde was a Park District Board President.
 
The Park District Today
The Westchester Park District is responsible for providing leisure and recreation programs and facilities for its Community. It was formulated as a governing body back in 1956. It is governed by a board of five Commissioner elected by the residents to serve four-year terms without compensation. The Board of Commissioners meet on the first and second Monday of each month at the Westchester Community Center. The park district's mission is to provide and maintain quality parks and facilities in order to offer residents the opportunity to participate in enjoyable and safe activities, which will enrich their leisure time experience.



Park District Buildings & Pool Community Center 10201 Bond Street Located at10201 Bond street the Westchester Community Center hosts the Administrative Offices of the Park District. The facility has a 7,000-square-foot gymnasium and locker room facilities. In the year 2000 the Park District put a 3,500-square-foot addition to the building to increase the number of children they will be able to teach in their popular pre-school program.
Community Swimming Pool 10201 Bond Street The Park District features a beautiful 50-meter pool with a 12-foot-deep diving well. Other enjoyable features are a separate zero-depth wading pool with bubblers. The main pool has a 25-foot-high, 150-foot-lonq water slide and a SCS interactive water play structure in the shallow end. A concession stand and grass area round out the facility. The pool is in operation from June through Labor Day
Mayfair Fitness & Recreation Center 10835 Wakefield The Mayfair Fitness & Recreation Center features general programming rooms and the district's state-of-the-art fitness center. The Fitness Center is equipped with Cybex Eagle strength systems, treadmills, step machines stationary bicycles, rowing machines and assorted other cardiovascular exercise equipment Baby-sitting services are available on a limited scheduled basis for members who need this service.
Community CenterIn addition our new facility provides day care services for children ages 2 to 5. Our new facility is designed to provide your child with a high quality, loving environment with families and faculty working together to meet your child's needs. We look forward to the opportunity to show you why our SMART START Early Childhood Center is truly a special place for your child.
MayfairThe construction of an 8,000-square-foot addition to the facility provides state-of-the-art aerobics room and dance studio These rooms have been constructed for use as banquet facilities. The Mayfair Banquet Facility is the perfect place to hold your special event. The facility can hold up to 240 people for large events or you can rent one room for smaller parties. Drop by the Mayfair Facility and check out our facility. Consider planning your special function with us in the near future!
Gateway Special Recreation AssociationThe Gateway Special Recreation Association currently consists of the Villages of Hinsdale and Willowbrook the city of Countryside, park districts of Burr Ridge, Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Pleasant Dale and Westchester These organizations pooled their resources to contract with the Ray Graham Association to develop programs and provide services for individuals in these communities with disabilities.

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Source:
Westchester Chamber Of Commerce Directories, 1983 and 2002