Rockford Park District Kicks Off Phase 1 Improvements at Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park

October 12, 2024 - Update

Construction will officially begin this week to improve recreational opportunities in southwest Rockford at Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park, 2004 Ogilby Road, Rockford. Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park is a destination utilized by thousands of youth, teens, and families.

The park is home to youth sports programs, including NFL Flag Football, NFL Cheer, Rockford F.I.R.E. Track & Field, Youth Sports Outreach, Rockford Wolves Youth Football, Chicago Bears Outreach Camp, AAU Northern Cross Country National Championship, and AAU Cross County District Qualifier. Over the years, the Rockford Park District has made improvements to the 77-acre park, including new scoreboards, signs, fencing, bleachers, turf playground surface, an asphalt path, and a large shade structure with a concrete pad. Most recently, construction began on a new access road off Ogilby Road to improve the traffic flow at this popular park. However, on-site amenities still do not meet the needs of all athletes, and the Park District is utilizing other stadiums, tracks, and facilities to provide practice space, especially for track and field programs.

Based on community feedback provided in 2018, the Rockford Park District’s Strategic Action Plan included a recommendation to increase investments at Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park due to the continued growth of these sports program and to invest in our next generation. Last year, the Chicago Bears donated turf that was once in the Walter Payton Center (WPC) at Halas Hall to create a warmup area at Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park. In January 2024, the Rockford Park District announced that it received a $2.8 million Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC) grant. Illinois Senator Steve Stadelman also secured $600,000 in state funding for Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park improvements. Funding will be used to build an artificial turf field and stadium with an eight-lane running track, a throw and jump event area, a spectator area with bleacher seating for 1,000 people, parking lot with solar lights, and landscape improvements. The total project cost for Phase 1 improvements is $7,564,313.53.

“I had a vision years ago and came to the Rockford Park District looking for some space to start a flag football program and provide a place where kids could connect with great mentors and leaders. We started out at Brown Park and outgrew that location and over the years have had to utilize other venues to meet the continued growth of the Youth Sports programs. Phase one improvements at Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park is exactly what I dreamed of years ago. Creating this sports complex is vital to developing these athletes’ physical skills, mental resilience, personal character, and life skills. It will help cultivate the next generation of athletes who are equipped not only to excel in their sport but also to lead fulfilling, impactful lives beyond this arena. This location will unite youth, teens, and families through their common love of play and provide a permanent home for football, track and field programming, and much more,” said Lamont Jones, General Manager of Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park and Youth Sports Outreach.

Phase one improvements are expected to be completed in late summer or early fall of 2025.

Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners have approved a construction contract for Phase 1 improvements at Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park

August 13, 2024

Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park is a destination utilized by thousands of youth, teens, and families. The park is home to youth sports programs including NFL Flag Football, NFL Cheer, Rockford F.I.R.E. Track & Field, Youth Sports Outreach, Rockford Wolves Youth Football, Chicago Bears Outreach Camp, AAU Northern Cross Country National Championship, and AAU Cross County District Qualifier.

On-site amenities do not currently meet the needs of all athletes, and the Park District is utilizing other stadiums, tracks, and facilities to provide practice space, especially for track and field programs.

In January 2024, the Rockford Park District announced that it received a $2.8 million Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC) grant. Funding will be used to build an artificial turf field and stadium with an eight-lane running track, a throw and jump event area, a spectator area with bleacher seating for 1,000 people, parking lot with solar lights, and landscape improvements. The total project cost is $7,564,313.53. Tonight, commissioners approved a contract to Fischer Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $4,528,432.03 to complete Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park improvements. The Park Board also approved a contract to Kiefer USA in the amount of $1,436,180.00 to complete the track and field installation.

“This is going to be an amazing sports facility that will unite youth, teens, and families with their common love of play and provide a permanent home for football, soccer, track and field programming, and much more,” said Martesha Brown, Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners President.

Over the years, the Rockford Park District has made improvements to the 77-acre park, including new scoreboards, signs, fencing, bleachers, turf playground surface, an asphalt path, and a large shade structure with a concrete pad. Most recently, a new access road was built off Ogilby Road to improve the traffic flow at this popular park. Last year, the Chicago Bears donated turf that was once in the Walter Payton Center (WPC) at Halas Hall to create a future warmup area at Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park.

A formal groundbreaking ceremony will be held later this year. The project is expected to be completed by August 1, 2025.

Phase 1 Project Plans