Central Park: A Crown Jewel

To many Grayslake residents, Central Park is the crown jewel of the 's properties and facilities. 

But did you know that almost 75 years ago it once was a working dairy farm producing milk and cream? Here is how the land went from being used for dairy cows to community recreation areas.

The park itself has an interesting history, with information summarized on a plaque in the park:

The land was part of the original land grant by Anthony Johnston. Charles Whitehead, who came to Grayslake from England, owned it next. Then in 1895, the year of Grayslake's incorporation, Charles F. Kuebker (1863-1940) bought the land that encompasses Central Park from Whitehead. Kuebker brought his wife and young son to Grayslake the next year. They tilled the soil and raised animals. In 1904, a canning factory was built directly south of the property.

The factory purchased the farm in 1910, but it reverted back to the Kuebker family in 1914.

The younger Charles ventured into the business world when he purchased the Harley Darby milk route in 1925 and founded the Grayslake Dairy. In addition to the milk produced by cows housed on the farm, milk was purchased from nearby farms. Local men were hired to work in the processing plant and deliver the milk. The milk, cream and eggs were delivered to Grayslake housewives each day. The building in which the processing was done was the former bunkhouse of the closed canning factory.

The dairy ceased operation about 1936, but the land continued to be a dairy farm. The farm remained in the family until 1967 when it was sold to John Epstein of the Grayslake Gelatin Company. Epstein was the largest landholder in the Grayslake area.

When the first formed, it was approved by voters in a 1959 referendum. The boundaries of the district are about the same as the boundaries of the village of Grayslake. According to the park district, the residents voted to provide recreational programs, acquire and maintain open space as active and passive areas for the community.  

Central Park is one such area with space for several community uses. 

In 1979, the started Central Park when it acquired 14.67 acres of the farm. Forty more acres were purchased in 1991.  

Park district officials wanted a park in or near the center of the village and the Central Park property fit their needs. The Central Park purchase and expansion were financed using Illinois Department of Conservation grants and revenue bonds.  

With its main entrance off Lake Street at the railroad tracks, Central Park offers a variety of recreational activities for all family members.

The 60-acre Central Park now includes playgrounds, tennis courts, baseball diamonds and soccer fields, a disc golf course, paved trails and picnic shelters. These are adjacent to the village-owned aquatic and skateboard parks. Many community events and celebrations are held in Central Park. The first Grayslake Summer Days festival was hosted in the park in 1991.  

The former farm is now also the site of the ; the at Library Lane, a senior citizens housing complex; ; and a community garden.  

"You can definitely go to Central Park and make a day of it," said a park district official.

More stories of Grayslake's unique history can be found at the , and Grayslake Municipal History Museum. Hours and upcoming events can be found at www.grayslakehistory.org.  

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