Fun&Games_v3

THE CREATION OF THE ORLAND PARK RECREATION DEPARTMENT

In the summer of 1954, Babe Lohmann founded a youth baseball group. Games were played between Orland and Mokena. The following year, Orland Park joined the “Wilco League.” This later resulted in the formation of the Orland Park Youth Association (OYA) around 1961. Today, OYA offers programs for boys and girls in baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, and basketball. They offer both recreational and competitive level sports. In 1976, the Orland Park Soccer Club (OPSC) was founded by a group of parents and soccer fans wanting to enhance the existing recreation department’s soccer programs. Sports organizations were common in Orland Park, but the Village of Orland Park wanted to expand its services and programs during the 1970s. Today, the Recreation Department oversees multiple facilities that offer programs for all ages, including preschool activities, sport camps, dance, fitness, music, art, history, theater, and special recreation. These facilities include the Civic Center, Franklin Loebe Center, Sportsplex and Orland Health and Fitness. The Department is also responsible for more than 500 acres of parks, including Centennial Park, Centennial Park Aquatic Center, and the John Humphrey Sports Complex. ARTIFACTS IN THIS CABINET TOP SHELF (LEFT TO RIGHT): • OYA Know Your Town Brochure, 1960 •.Orland Park Recreation Program Guide, 1985 • Sportsplex Opening Day Program, 2002 •.Photograph of a Special Recreation Basketball Game, 1993-1997 BOTTOM SHELF (LEFT TO RIGHT):

• Fishing Lures and Bobbers, c. 1900-1920s • Photograph of McGinnis Slough, 1990 •.Photographs of Centennial Pool on Opening Day, 1992 • Humphrey Family Ice Skates, Date Unknown • .Ice Arena Grand Opening Souvenir Clock, 1995

Pictured: Chicago World’s Fair memorabilia 1933