Back

Location

6801 S. Main
Downers Grove, IL

Hours

Dawn to Dusk except evenings when permitted lighted activity (operational, artificial lighting) is occurring. Sport Courts with lighting are open daily from 7:30am to 10pm.

The park will close immediately after lights are turned off until dawn the following day. No person shall remain in park system unless a permit is granted in advance. Security lighting shall not be considered operational, artificial lighting.

Description

McCollum Park has served as the Park District's flagship outdoor athletic facility and largest recreational park for over 30 years. The 50-acre park contains 2 baseball fields, 2 softball fields, 4 soccer/multi-purpose fields, 8 dedicated pickleball courts, 3 dedicated tennis courts plus 3 tennis courts which can be converted for an additional 8 temporary pickleball courts, 6 horseshoe courts, 3 lighted sand volleyball courts, 2 lighted basketball courts. The park also features a 1.2-mile asphalt loop walking path, outdoor fitness equipment, and several wooded picnic areas.

McCollum Park is also home to Adventure Falls Sprayground, Mini Golf & Sports Courts, a premier summer destination for families. The Sprayground offers endless splashing and fun with its three interactive play areas designed for children of all ages, plenty of seating and shade for parents, a pavilion available for rentals, and a full-service concession stand, it’s the perfect place to cool off and enjoy summer. Adventure Falls Mini Golf welcomes putt-putters of all ages onto its mini golf course for some fun in the sun. 

Learn more about Adventure Falls

Rent a Sports Field

Rent the Park Pavilion

McCollum Park Aerial  Adventure Falls  McCollum Park Playground

Amenities

History

The McCollum Park property was purchased by the Park District in 1972 and named in honor of Ted McCollum a few years later. Mr. McCollum was a former Commissioner and volunteer fireman, and helped the Park District acquire the original four parcels of land necessary to develop the community park. It quickly became one of the most heavily used parks in the District, creating the need to acquire additional parcels for expanded park amenities.

Originally constructed in three phases beginning in 1982 and completed in 1985, the park has seen consistent, heavy use while remaining largely unchanged throughout its three decades of use. When completed in the early 1980s, McCollum Park was considered by many as the premier athletic complex in Chicago's western suburbs. In late 2010, the Park District began design development for a major renovation project, to include replacement of the aging ballfield lighting, irrigation, ball field backstops and hardscape surfaces. Construction of the McCollum Park Infrastructure Renovation project began in August 2011 and was completed in July 2012. The project also included the addition of a new restroom and concession building located within the baseball complex "core area," replacement of an under-sized picnic shelter with a new, larger picnic pavilion, and expanding the south parking lot.

In August 2022, the Downers Grove Park District began a major park improvement project to update and expand recreation amenities at McCollum Park. The improvements included infrastructure renovations and the development of new, much-desired recreation opportunities for visitors of all ages. The perimeter pathway and pickleball/tennis courts were completed in 2023 and the sprayground and mini golf improvements opened in May of 2024.

Upcoming Improvements/Construction

Downers Grove Park District has been awarded a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the McCollum Park Playground Improvement Project. Announced by Governor JB Pritzker on December 16, 2024, the Downers Grove Park District is one of 100 local park agencies receiving more than $55.2 million in funding to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities.

The McCollum Park Playground Improvement Project is anticipated to begin in spring 2026 and will include new and improved recreational amenities to complement the recently renovated sport courts and sprayground, which were completed in 2023 and 2024. The playground, which was last updated in 2005, will receive a significant upgrade to enhance recreation, accessibility, and enjoyment for all park visitors. 

The improvements at McCollum Park will focus on revamping heavily used recreational components within the park and adding new walkways to improve accessibility. The existing playground will receive all-new play equipment including ramped access, tall slides, spinners, climbing elements, updated swings, and a zipline to ensure play opportunities for children of all ages and abilities. The 5- to 12-year-old section will feature an exciting elevated play structure, offering a unique and thrilling experience for older children. The playground area will also feature a poured-in-place or synthetic turf surface, providing a safer, accessible, and low-maintenance play environment. A new shelter will be placed between the playgrounds, providing shade and additional seating for caregivers and visitors.

The current fitness area, located along an existing walking path, will be revitalized with new surfacing and modern equipment to encourage outdoor exercise for adults. Enhancements to the existing baggo set and long-standing horseshoe courts will be renovated with updated equipment and accessibility. A new fabric shade structure will be added to the concession patio seating area and the baggo area to enhance visitor comfort.