History
The Morris and Roberta Davis Trust provided the initial $1 million gift to the City of Rockford in 1989. That gift was used to acquire the land and establish Davis Park as a seven-acre festival park along the Rock River. Since then, Davis Park has hosted beloved community traditions and live events for residents and visitors.
Renovation Project
Davis Park is undergoing major renovations to reimagine its role as a premier riverfront destination. These upgrades will enhance infrastructure, improve riverfront access, and create modern amenities that support year-round use. The official groundbreaking took place on October 3, 2025. A majority of improvements are expected to be complete by summer 2026, with the park fully usable by fall 2026.
The project includes exciting new features and upgrades such as:
• Universally accessible playground
• Skate park
• Performance stage
• Concessions and restroom building
• New Riverwalk
• Rock River shoreline improvements
• Public art displays
Partners and Roles
Together, these partners are focused on tourism, economic growth, and community engagement.
-
City of Rockford handles day-to-day park operations and groundskeeping.
-
RAVE (Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority) oversees Davis Park along with the BMO Center and Coronado Theatre.
-
Legends Global partners with RAVE to manage and program the venue.
-
GoRockford assists on select programming initiatives.
About Legends Global
Legends Global is the premier partner to the world's greatest live events, venues, and brands. We deliver a fully integrated solution of premium services, including feasibility & consulting, owner’s rep, sales, partnerships, venue management, hospitality, merchandise, and content & booking. Through our white-label approach, we keep our partners front and center while leveraging the power of our global network: over 450 venues, 20,000 events, and 165 million guests annually. To learn more, visit us at www.LegendsGlobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.