Phase 1 of Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park Improvements – Rockford Park District

Rockford Park District Commissioners have approved a construction contract for Phase 1 improvements at the Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park, 2004 Ogilby Road, Rockford.

Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park is a destination for thousands of youth, teens and families. The park is home to youth sports programs such as NFL Flag Football, NFL Cheer, Rockford FIRE 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.

The on-site facilities currently do not meet the needs of all athletes, and the Park District uses other stadiums, tracks and facilities to provide practice areas, particularly for track and field programs.

In January 2024, the Rockford Park District announced it had received a $2.8 million grant from the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC). The funds will be used to construct an artificial turf field and stadium with an eight-lane running track, an area for throwing and jumping competitions, a spectator area with bleacher seating for 1,000 people, a parking lot with solar lighting, and landscaping improvements. The total cost of the project is $7,564,313.53. Tonight, commissioners approved a $4,528,432.03 contract with Fischer Excavating, Inc. to complete improvements to the Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park. The park board also approved a $1,436,180.00 contract with Kiefer USA to complete the track and field facility.

“This will be a fantastic sports facility that will unite youth, teens and families with their shared love of the game and provide a permanent home for football, soccer, track and field programs and more,” said Martesha Brown, president of the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners.

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

An official groundbreaking ceremony will take place later this year. The project is scheduled to be completed by August 1, 2025.