How Marengo Park District Boosted Revenue by 500% with CivicPlus Recreation Management

Imagine turning frustrating, outdated processes into seamless, user-friendly experiences, all while boosting revenue by 500%. That’s exactly what Marengo Park District achieved with CivicPlus Recreation Management.

The Challenge: Outdated, Costly, and Frustrating Registration Processes

Four years ago, Marengo Park District faced a challenge familiar to many recreation departments: an outdated and clunky system that made online registration nearly impossible. Before adopting CivicPlus Recreation Management, Marengo Park District struggled with an outdated system that was both expensive and unfriendly for users. Their previous solution forced residents to visit in person or call, creating long lines and frustration. Staff found the system unintuitive and expensive, costing three times more than CivicPlus while delivering far less functionality.

Additionally, managing registrations manually led to inefficient use of staff time, as employees had to assist residents at the front desk or over the phone. This setup not only inconvenienced residents but also hampered the district’s ability to increase program participation.

The Solution: A Modern, User-Friendly Registration Platform

Marengo Park District sought a platform that could address the pain points of their outdated system, and CivicPlus Recreation Management delivered.

Residents now had the freedom to register from anywhere, anytime, thanks to the platform’s 24/7 online registration. No more lining up at the front desk or tying up phone lines, sign-ups could be completed with just a few clicks.

For staff, the transformation was equally profound. The integrated payment processing meant transactions were smoother, and the platform’s intuitive dashboard minimized training time and made it easier for both seasoned staff and new hires to hit the ground running.

In addition, GIS integration made residency verification seamless, ensuring that residents had easy access to in-district programs. Generating reports for board meetings, which used to be a time-consuming chore, became a quick and efficient process.

The Results: Dramatic Increases in Revenue and Efficiency

The numbers tell a powerful story. Since adopting CivicPlus Recreation Management, Marengo Park District has seen transformative results:

• 500% Increase in Revenue: Annual registration and membership fee receipts skyrocketed from $55,000 to $260,000.
• 24/7 Online Registration: Eliminated in-person bottlenecks and allowed staff to focus on other tasks.
• Paperless Registration: Reduced administrative work, freeing up staff for more strategic responsibilities.
• Streamlined Reporting: Staff can generate comprehensive participation and revenue reports effortlessly, saving time and delivering valuable insights to the board.

One unexpected but welcome result was a shift in how residents interacted with the park district. No longer bound by office hours or phone lines, people started taking advantage of the online platform, registering for programs from the comfort of their homes, while simultaneously lowering the number of support calls.

Simplifying Recreation Management and Boosting Community Engagement

By switching to CivicPlus Recreation Management, Marengo Park District didn’t just upgrade its technology, it transformed how it serves the community. What once felt like a constant uphill battle: frustrated residents, overwhelmed staff, and lost revenue, became a smooth, efficient operation that benefits both the district and the people it serves.

The platform’s ease of use, robust reporting, and online registration capabilities have redefined what’s possible for Marengo Park District. CivicPlus continues to be a reliable partner in delivering superior recreation experience for residents while allowing the staff to focus on what truly matters: building a vibrant, engaged community.