Fueling Local Prosperity: The Economic Impact of O’Fallon Parks and Recreation

In the heart of O’Fallon, Illinois, community spirit and economic development go hand in hand—thanks in no small part to the vibrant work of the O’Fallon Parks and Recreation Department. At the epicenter of this impact is the O’Fallon Family Sports Park, a facility that not only serves as a hub for athletic competition but… Continue reading

In the heart of O’Fallon, Illinois, community spirit and economic development go hand in hand—thanks in no small part to the vibrant work of the O’Fallon Parks and Recreation Department. At the epicenter of this impact is the O’Fallon Family Sports Park, a facility that not only serves as a hub for athletic competition but also a powerful economic engine for the city.

Driving Millions into the Local Economy

Throughout 2024, sports tournaments held at the Family Sports Park generated an estimated $9.6 million in economic impact. These numbers aren’t just impressive—they’re transformative. Visitors who came for baseball, softball, and soccer tournaments spent money in local hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and shops. Overnight guests spent an average of $60 per day, while day-trippers contributed about $10 each, according to the City’s Economic Impact Study.

Some of the largest contributors to this boom include:

  • USSSA Softball: $2,410,000
  • Greater Midwest Baseball (GMB): $1,760,000
  • St. Louis Scott Gallagher (SLSG) Soccer: $1,300,000
  • Gateway Rush Soccer: $960,000
  • Metro Alliance Soccer: $880,000

With tournaments nearly every weekend from March through early November—32 out of 36 weekends—the Sports Park consistently draws large crowds and significant spending.

Visitors in the Millions

According to data from Placer.ai, the Sports Park hosted 1.575 million visits in 2024 from over 390,000 unique visitors. The average visit lasted more than 2.5 hours (151 minutes), highlighting the park’s value as a destination rather than a quick stop.

Major tournament weekends often saw foot traffic surge to more than 50,000 visits, including families enjoying not just the games but also amenities like the splash pad, pavilions, and playgrounds.

Regional and National Recognition

O’Fallon’s Family Sports Park is making waves beyond city limits:

  • 3rd most visited Nature & Landmark site in Illinois, behind only Millennium Park and Grant Park in Chicago.
  • 73rd most visited Nature & Landmark site in the nation out of more than 6,000 locations tracked.

A Broader Vision of Community

Beyond sports, the O’Fallon Parks and Recreation Department also fosters community engagement through events like the Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station. Despite facing one of its most weather-challenged years, the market still attracted over 28,300 visits and 16,600 unique visitors in 2024, with strong loyalty among patrons—over 2,000 people attended at least ten markets.

Investing in Growth

The department’s use of cutting-edge tools like Placer.ai allows them to analyze foot traffic and visitor patterns to make informed decisions. With 10 turf ballfields and 10 soccer fields (8 turf, 2 grass), O’Fallon is positioning itself as a premier destination for regional tournaments and outdoor recreation.

More Than Games

Ultimately, O’Fallon Parks and Recreation is doing more than hosting sports and events—they’re fostering economic vitality, enhancing quality of life, and building a resilient and connected community. Every ball hit and every goal scored at the Family Sports Park sends a ripple through local businesses and homes, making parks and recreation a true pillar of the city’s ongoing success.

Downtown District Façade Improvement Program

Launched in November 2019, the Downtown District Façade Improvement Program is a matching grant initiative administered by the City of O’Fallon. The purpose of the program is to encourage and assist property and business owners located in the Central City to improve the exterior appearance of their buildings. Properties must be within the Central City… Continue reading

Launched in November 2019, the Downtown District Façade Improvement Program is a matching grant initiative administered by the City of O’Fallon. The purpose of the program is to encourage and assist property and business owners located in the Central City to improve the exterior appearance of their buildings. Properties must be within the Central City TIF District and eligible facades must be readily visible from a public street.

Applications may be submitted via email to [email protected] or directly to:

Community Development Department
Attn: Abigail Cline
255 S. Lincoln Ave
2nd Floor
O’Fallon, IL 62269 

Applications must be received no later than 5:00 pm, March 3rd, 2025.

Downtown District Facade Improvement Grant Overview

Downtown District Facade Improvement Grant Application 

Downtown District Facade Improvement Design Guidelines 

 

Proposed timeline for 2024-2025 grant cycle:

November 4th, 2024 – Application Period Open

March 3rd, 2025 – Application Deadline

April 7th, 2025 – Grants Awarded

 

*Grant Funding is Subject to Budget Approval from the O’Fallon City Council and availability of funds.