A Brief History of the Skokie Playfield Campus

The Skokie Playfield Campus has been a cornerstone of recreation in Winnetka for more than a century. In 1915, the Winnetka Park District acquired approximately 40 acres of land to create a new community recreation area, reserving much of the property for what would become the Winnetka Golf Course. Over the following decades, additional land was acquired and the campus evolved into the Park District's largest recreational destination, now encompassing approximately 162 acres.

The name "Skokie" reflects the area's natural history, referencing the historic Skokie Valley and marshlands that once stretched throughout this region of the North Shore. The campus was named long before the neighboring Village of Skokie adopted its current name in 1940.

Today, the Skokie Playfield Campus is home to athletic fields, golf, tennis, platform tennis ,ice skating, playground, walking paths, and open green space, serving thousands of residents and visitors each year. As the Winnetka Park District undertakes this Master Plan, it is building upon more than 100 years of recreation, stewardship, and community investment to ensure the campus continues to meet the needs of future generations.

FAQs

The following are common questions about the master plan, the process, and how to participate. This page will be updated throughout the project as new questions arise.

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  • The Skokie Playfield Campus Master Plan is a long-range planning effort led by the Winnetka Park District to guide the future of the Skokie Playfield Campus. The study will evaluate recreation programs, athletic facilities, open space, circulation, and infrastructure, and identify opportunities for improvements that better serve the community over time.

  • The plan will explore a wide range of topics, including:

    • Recreation programs and amenities

    • Athletic fields and facilities

    • Parking and circulation

    • Pedestrian and bike connections

    • Open space and environmental conditions

    • Opportunities for future improvements

    The goal is to create a comprehensive vision and roadmap for the future of Skokie Playfield Campus.

  • The Skokie Playfield Campus is one of the District’s most active recreation areas, offering a wide range of amenities including ice sports, racquet sports, golf, athletic fields, and walking paths. As facilities age and community needs evolve, the Park District is taking a closer look at what is working well, what could be improved, and how the campus can function more efficiently and cohesively in the future.

  • In 2025, the Park District adopted a District-wide Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP), which looked at parks and facilities across the entire system. That process identified the Skokie Playfield Campus as a high-priority site for further study. This master plan builds on that effort by focusing specifically on this campus in greater detail.

  • The planning process is organized into three phases—Engage & Analyze, and Plan & Implement—and will wrap up in late 2026. Key milestones include stakeholder conversations, a Community Conversations Workshop, several pop-up events, and Open House events, culminating in a final Master Plan.

  • This master plan is not a construction project. No immediate improvements are being approved as part of this process. Instead, the plan will identify ideas and priorities that could guide future decision-making.

  • Any potential future improvements identified in the plan would require additional steps, including detailed design, engineering, cost evaluation, public input, permitting, and Park Board approval before moving forward.

  • Community input is a critical part of this process. There will be multiple opportunities to participate, including surveys, public meetings, and engagement events. Community members, user groups, and neighbors are encouraged to share their ideas, feedback, and priorities throughout the planning process.

  • This website will serve as the central hub for project updates, surveys, and key documents. Be sure to check back regularly for the latest information and opportunities to participate.