The village was originally designed by Loebl Schlossman & Bennett as a planned community for veterans returning from World War II.

In addition to the arts and culture scene including Tall Grass Arts Association[3] and the Illinois Theatre Center,[4] residents also have access to a myriad of recreational opportunities for both children and adults such as the Park Forest Aqua Center.

[5] Developers Nathan Manilow, Carroll F. Sweet and Philip M. Klutznick held a press conference in the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago on October 28, 1946, to announce the planned development of a new self-governing community in Chicago's south suburbs.

This project, soon to be referred to as Park Forest, was to be developed by American Community Builders (ACB).

The village of Park Forest was partly designed by town planner Elbert Peets in the tradition of planned communities around the nation to provide housing for veterans returning from World War II.

(Terkel, p. 12)" Park Forest was honored in 1954 as an "All-America City" for its citizens' help in the creation of Rich Township High School, on Sauk Trail.

[7] A village landmark was the Park Forest Plaza, an outdoor regional shopping center of over 50 stores and restaurants which included Sears, Marshall Fields and Goldblatt's.

[8] In 1956, William H. Whyte, an editor at Fortune magazine, published a book called The Organization Man that defined the nature of corporate life for a generation.

The book described how America (whose people, he said, had "led in the public worship of individualism") had recently turned into a nation of employees who "take the vows of organization life" and who had become "the dominant members of our society".

[11] Park Forest is known for the "Scenic 10", a 10-mile (16 km) race held annually on Labor Day that attracts runners from around the globe.

[12][13] On March 26, 2003, a meteor exploded over the Midwest, showering Park Forest with dozens of meteorite fragments.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Park Forest has a total area of 4.96 square miles (12.85 km2), all land.

Parts of Park Forest are east of Western Avenue, however, including a subdivision called "Eastgate".

The beginning of the trail is at Western Avenue, and it runs through Park Forest west to Joliet.

Stations bordering Park Forest include Richton Park (Sauk Trail at Governor's Hwy./Crawford Ave./Pulaski Rd.,) 211th Street (Lincoln Highway) and Matteson stations on the Metra Electric Line, which runs parallel to the Illinois Central Railroad Company (owned by Canadian National Railway Company) but on its own closely adjacent tracks[18] Pace provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Park Forest to destinations throughout the Southland.

In addition to the main stage series of six plays, the theatre offers programs like The Drama School which provides acting classes for children, teens and adults.

The goal of such performances is to present the finest cultural events for the Park Forest community and other residents of the Chicago area.

Visiting this site provides people with the ability to uniquely experience the history of Park Forest, a suburb built after the conclusion of World War II.

Consistent with the way the house was furnished, dolls, toys, built-in bookcases and even a collection of clothes from that period may be found.

[5] Throughout the season, the Aqua Center offers special events, such as Members Only Kickoff, Hawaiian Night, Glow Swim, and Carnival Night, as well as multiple swim lesson programs:[33] For over thirty years, the Park Forest Tennis and Health Club has offered residents a place to play tennis and workout.

The Park District offers sports, health & wellness, and dance programs, in addition to special day trips and art classes.