The Park :: About Sinnissippi Park
Historic Sinnissippi Park
Rockford's Sinnissippi Park, at 1401 N. Second Street, was one of the Rockford Park District's first parks, acquired shortly after the District was formed in 1909. An 80-acre tract was purchased for $47,500, to prevent the land from being subdivided by real estate speculators.
Formerly known as Rood's Woods, the park was renamed Sinnissippi, meaning "clear flowing river." When it opened in 1912, the park also contained Rockford's first golf course. It now includes 123.04 acres and is one of the community's most popular parks, with its playground, cookout shelters, nine-hole golf course, music shell, pickleball courts, lagoon, gardens, and recreation path. Special events such as Music in the Park, Holiday Festival of Lights, and the Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition bring many thousands to visit the park each year.
The Future
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
Situated along the banks of our beautiful Rock River in Sinnissippi Gardens, the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens will be a tropical paradise located in the heart of Rockford. Scheduled to open in late fall 2011, the entire facility will be the third largest conservatory in Illinois with a total of 21,000 square feet and at the highest point will stand 52 feet. The site will be recognized as LEED certified - the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability.
