Kankakee in Kankakee County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

History of Bird Park Quarry

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 30, 2026

1. History of Bird Park Quarry Marker

Inscription. Bird Park was donated to the KVPD in 1926 by Pioneer Kankakee businessman Worth Bird. The 26 acre park is one of the cities jewels enhanced by the 10 acre quarry. Mr. Bird purchased the property in 1851 for $8/acre and operated the quarry until 1911 when the quarrys stone crusher burned. Once abandoned the quarry filled with water.

In 1928 Bird Park had a sand beach and opened to swimming until 1931. In 1929 the quarry was opened to fisherman for just a few days a year and until the mid 70's was open just 3 days a week. Over time the Park Board added fishing docks to make it more accessible to fisherman.

A park that once housed a small zoo has now become the most popular park in the City complete with a Splash Pad, bandshell, boat ramp, playground and picnic areas. In 2011 the Park District opened the Quarry for scuba divers complete with a sunken ship, boat and school bus. The platform and out building on the north shore was also added that year.

Zach Kimmel — Eagle Scout project
Troop 319 — St. George, IL

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas

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• Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 41° 7.216′ N, 87° 52.667′ W. Marker is in Kankakee, Illinois, in Kankakee County. It is on Court Street (Illinois Route 17) near Wall Street ( Route 113), on the right when traveling east. The marker is near the parking lot on the east side of the quarry pond. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kankakee IL 60901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Columns of the Eastern Illinois Trust and Savings Bank (approx. half a mile away); Memorial Day Order (approx. half a mile away); Let Freedom Ring Garden (approx. half a mile away); Central School Bell (approx. half a mile away);

Three signs about Bird Park Quarry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 30, 2026

2. Three signs about Bird Park Quarry

Baker School Bell (approx. half a mile away); Taylor One-Room Schoolhouse (approx. half a mile away); Historical and Arts Building Governor Small Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Governor Len Small (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kankakee.

More about this marker. Two signs that flank this historical marker are about the birds and fish that can be found in this park.

Also see . . . Kankakee Podcast: Bird Park. A podcast episode about the history of Bird Park in Kankakee.

Excerpt: "ack and Jorie go on to discuss Worth W. Bird, the man after whom the park is named. After his family bought the property in the 1850s, Worth went on to open the quarry in 1870 and operated it for many years."

(Submitted on June 1, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Bird Park Quarry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 30, 2026

3. Bird Park Quarry

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 30 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.