Mueller Park in the City of St. Charles was beloved for over 50 years.
Get the latest and most accurate information on History of Mueller Park today.
History of Mueller Park
Discover the Story of Mueller Park
Mueller Park was a beloved community landmark in the City of St. Charles, founded in 1973 and serving the area for over 50 years before being sold in 2024. This website exists to preserve and share the rich history of this important part of the city's heritage.
Welcome to History of Mueller Park
Timeline
July 1959:
3rd - James Lackland sells 3 parcels of land to the City for $1, this land later becomes Mueller park.
May 1973:
17th – Park Board recommends to the City Council that 70 acres of idle land be used as Permanent park property and recreation ground for a sports complex.
22nd - 70 acres of Idle City land are designated as Permanent Park Property by the City Council. This is the beginning of Mueller Park.
August 1973:
8th – Parks Board gives approval for the clearing of the land for Mueller Park
September 1973:
12th – during Park Board meeting it was reported 30 acres had been cleared and prepared for grading and leveling.
February 1974:
13th – Parks Board gives Mueller Park the official name of The St. Charles Sports Complex.
October 1976:
25th – Ordinance committee recommends lights be installed at Mueller Park
March 1978:
SCCYSA is formed and has their first season using the soccer fields at Muller Park.
January 1979:
15th – Growth, Development and Human Services Committee directs Park board to work out lease with SCCSYA , as part of deal SCCSYA developed Mueller park adding lights, creating football/soccer fields and recondition existing baseball diamonds.
January 1983:
SCCSYA and the Optimist Club spend over $46,000 to start hauling in new soil for field improvement. Park department invests in a new drainage ditch.
May 1986:
Six additional fields were installed. Gravel was added to the parking lot.
May 1987:
5th – City Council passes resolution stating “Mueller Road Sports Complex” will continue to be used for parks and recreation purposes in the future
February 1990:
New Restrooms and Concession stand construction begins. Tournament office and storage area are built. Large eating area constructed. SCCYSA raises over $20,000 for the project.
March 1991:
Parking lot is expanded, and more gravel added.
April 1992:
Parking lot is paved. Lighting is installed on two fields. SCCYSA raises over $13,000 for the improvements.
July 1993:
The Great Flood of 1993 reaches the park, fields and trees are damaged, tournaments must be cancelled. Despite the setbacks SCCYSA does complete their fall season.
April 1995:
4th – St. Charles voters approve a 2.8 million park improvement bond issue. Some of the planned improvements to the Park are expanded parking, six additional fields, bleachers, players benches, and additional restroom/concession area.
March 1997:
Six additional fields open for use.
February 2024:
14th – Park board approves $150,000 to improve the playground at Mueller Park/St. Charles Soccer Complex (this indicates there was not a plan or thought to sell the park at this time)
APRIL 2024:
2nd – City of St. Charles votes for $85 million tax measure to build a new city center for city hall. The Mayor’s plan is to have it built within two years. The vote was for no new taxes. Instead, the City pays off old debt from previous bonds each year, so it can borrow more as the loan balance decreases. The tax rate is extended, but not increased. The details on where the money is coming to pay off the debt is not clear.
9th - Seven new park board members are appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council to the nine member board during the city council meeting. It was a sudden rush to fill park board positions. (note: when a park board member term expires, they stay on the board until replaced)
Anne Zerr for Denise Childress whose term expired May 2022
TJ Slattery for Mike Hannegan whose term expired May 2023
Brian Scheidegger for Russell Peluchetter whose term expired May 2023
Tim Gloser for Patrick Caskey who resigned on 11-17-2022
Sandy Bichel for Brad Harmon whose term expired May 2021
Anna Shy for Thomas Smith who resigned 4-27-2023
Larry Muench for Merle Schneider whose term expired 2022
May 2024:
15th – Mayor addresses park board suggesting it could be in city’s best interest to sell park land.
June 2024:
5th – During the first of many closed sessions around the sale of Mueller Park, Park director announces to park board, she received a letter of intent to buy Mueller Park. It’s not clear if the Mayor was in attendance in these closed sessions. Rules state only the park board members should be attendance.
19th – Another closed park board session, it is noted SCCYSA and SLYSA (both non profits) have been informed of the possible sale and meeting will be help with the groups. No mention that any group was informed or to make the sale public to solicit higher bids.
July 2024:
2nd - Director of Administration Larry Dobrosky reported the city is currently negotiating the purchase of three building in the amount of $11,500,000.00 for the development of the City Centre Complex, with the agreement to include the purchase the remaining buildings from the seller within five years
17th – Another closed park board session, SLYSA offered a letter of intent to lease the park fields. Board was uninterested. (From the closed session minutes )
23rd - Another closed park board session, The board reviewed potential plans from buyer Sidik Nuhanovic and Brad Davis the future property manager. He stated the plans include artificial turf on the majority of the fields and an indoor facility. Phasing the project should occur within 4 years. They expect approximately 80,000 visitors per year (less than the current number of visitors). Executive board felt as though the questions were answered and information would be presented to full board next meeting.
August 2024:
07th – Another closed park board session, the points expressed at the July 23 meeting were reviewed, next steps would include formal documents to sell the complex with the terms agreed upon.
September 2024:
04th – Another closed park board session. A draft contract is being reviewed by the Legal Department and estimated to be on City Council Agenda for September 24.
18th – First open session park board meeting on sale of park, unanimously votes to sell St. Charles Soccer Complex to Invesco Group, LLC (owner Sidik Nuhanovic) without any public input, members include: Sandy Bichel; Tim Glosier; Kathy Mudrovic; Larry Muench; Mike Ryan; Brian Scheidegger; Anna Shy; TJ Slattery; Anne Zerr.
24th - City Council introduces Bill 13896 declaring property at 3801 Mueller Road as Surplus and authorizing the sale to Invesco Group (no mention of the property being a park was included)
October 2024:
1st- City Council passes Bill 13896 declaring property at 3801 Mueller Road as Surplus and authorizing the sale to Invesco Group,
1st – In closed session of the city council, the council discussed releasing Mueller Park as collateral before signing the purchase sale agreement, The park was designated as collateral under a declaration of trust, base lease, and a lease purchase agreement.