Forest Park Community Center: Building Neighborhood Pride and Safe Spaces
Tucked directly into Joliet’s Forest Park neighborhood on Woodruff Road, this grassroots center provides neighborhood children with safe after-school programs, computer access, and summer activities, while connecting local families with emergency groceries and utility relief.
Located at 1017 Woodruff Road, the Forest Park Community Center was founded by residents who recognized that children in East Joliet needed a neighborhood space they could walk to safely. For decades, the center has provided quiet homework rooms, mentors, computer access, and recreational games for elementary and middle school students.
During the summer months, the center hosts day camps and outdoor sports that keep kids engaged and active. The staff and neighborhood volunteers also run seasonal food basket giveaways, back-to-school backpack distributions, and neighborhood clean-up days, fostering a resilient, tight-knit community.
