Rockford Park District looks to move forward with improvements to local park

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — More opportunities for kids to be active are coming to fruition as the Rockford Park District looks to move forward with its improvements to Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park.

“We already have world-class facilities here at the Rockford Park District, but now we’re going to have a world-class stadium for track and field and also football and maybe even some lacrosse as well,” said the parks General Manager Lamont Jones.

The more than $7.5 million project will build an artificial turf stadium, an 8-lane running track, a new throwing and jumping area and new bleacher seating.

“You know, half the battle, I think, is having the facilities that we need for our athletes to get better,” said a track athlete’s parent Andrea Stibal. “So it’s really exciting for all of them that we have, you know, such a great facility coming just right down the street from us.”

Nikisha Tilsonpoe was at the park’s meeting supporting her son Messiah who was recognized for taking 6th in the Junior Olympic Games.

However, 22 years ago was her first experience with the park district for her other son who was getting into flag football. She spoke about how important this facility is to her kids and kids in the community.

“To know that they have a future and there’s things that they can do besides be out in the streets and like sports and everything,” said Tisonpe. “College, it opens up doors for scholarships and that major.”

Directors spoke about new possibilities for hosting nationwide tournaments and bringing competition to the forest city.

“Also [it’s] going to be a place for southwest Rockford to be a gathering place,” said Jones. “And all it’s going to do is increase and bring in more tourism to the south side of Rockford as well.”

Tonight, Rockford’s Track and Field Team was recognized for their success at the Junior Olympics as well as the flag football team that competed in the Flag Football Championships in Ohio.

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