About the Park

Douglas Park has a full schedule of events throughout the season including games featuring the QC 76ers, Rock Island Independents, and various youth sports including baseball, soccer, flag football, sport camps and rental opportunities. 

Dogs/pets are not allowed in this sports park including the baseball/softball field or multi-use areas.

Douglas Park History

A place of significant sports history, Douglas Park was home to the Rock Island Independents from 1907 to 1925. The Rock Island Independents was an original member of the National Football League (originally called the National Football Association). The Independents became famous in the Midwest , and Douglas Park was the site of the first ever National Football League contest on September 26, 1920 when Rock Island Independents defeated the non-member St. Paul Ideals 48-0. Many games were held with large crowds hosting famous teams such as Decatur Staleys (who later became the Chicago Bears), Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Cardinals. Numerous Pro Football Hall of Fame players played at Douglas Park including Jim Thorpe, Curly Lambeau, George Halas, Ed Healey, Jimmy Conzelman, Joe Guyon, George Trafton, and Paddy Driscoll.  

Other notable history:

• The Rock Islanders minor league baseball franchise (1920-21), Mississippi Valley League (1922-1933), Western League (1934-1937)
• The first college football game between University of Iowa and University of Illinois was played on November 20, 1899.
• Hosted ISC World Fastpitch Softball Tournament from 1961-1969 and again in 1973.

Douglas Park Renovations

The Parks and Recreation department and Friends of Douglas Park have worked together to complete many renovations and enhancements. The park now has three lighted ball fields (one full size baseball diamond with grass infield, one youth ball diamond with grass infield, one softball diamond, multipurpose full size soccer/football field), ADA-compliant restroom facilities, fencing and scoreboard, new concession stand and press box, new parking lot, new lighted community playground, perimeter walkway with benches, improved backstops and fencing, turf growth, lighting and lighted flag poles, restored ticket booths. All were made possible through grant funds and donations (OSLAD, Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, Gerry Huiskamp, and Friends of Douglas Park).

Friends of Douglas Park

The Friends of Douglas Park is an IRS501c3 recognized non-profit organization designed with the objective of partnering and utilizing both private and public resources to rejuvenate, repurpose and maintain the vitality of Douglas Park in Rock Island as a local, state and national Historical Legacy and Destination. 

To support Friends of Douglas Park in rejuvenating and maintaining the vitality of Douglas Park as a local, state and national historical legacy and destination, as well as a safe, well-known and proud location for a variety of neighborhood, community and regional activities you can help in many ways including joining the Friends with a $20.00 annual membership, donating your time by volunteering for work day projects or fundraising events, or purchasing merchandise for sale. Contact FODP at kc76ers@msn.com to get involved or visit the Friends of Douglas Park facebook page. For more information on Douglas Park please call Rock Island Parks and Recreation at (309) 732-7275.  

View a detailed map of the park.

Parks and Recreation Department 4303 24th Street  Rock Island, IL 61201   Ph: (309) 732-7275  Fx: (309) 732-7278 Email     ePark                                 Hours                              7:00 am - 6:00 pm                              Monday - Thursday                                                            7:00 am - 5:00 pm                               Friday                                                            9:00 am - 1:00 pm                               Saturday