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.
