DGPD: Walnut Park Master Plan

Downers Grove IL

21 September, 2021

2:29 PM

Description

Press release from the Downers Grove Park District: Mon September 20, 2021 ABOUT WALNUT PARK Located on Walnut Avenue south of Ogden Avenue on the northwest corridor of Downers Grove, the Walnut Park property is easily accessible by I-355 and I-88. Acquired through two past land purchases--4.8 acres in 2008 and 14.8 acres in 2015--the Walnut Park property currently features one soccer field and a small picnic pavilion with a gravel parking lot. The site is mostly undeveloped land featuring a mowed path, which connects to the Belmont Prairie Buffer and Nature Preserve. COMMUNITY INPUT Over the last decade, Downers Grove Park District has gathered input from the community regarding the development of this site. Community feedback has been collected through a needs assessment (2017), public open house (2017), stakeholder interviews (2017) and focus group discussions (2013). This past input indicated a high demand for an indoor sports facility featuring artificial turf and other recreation amenities. In 2020, the Downers Grove Park District began work on a long-term master plan for the Walnut Park property. The process kicked off with a community-wide survey, which was conducted in December. This survey indicated a high desire for the following amenities: Walking & Biking Trails, Multi-purpose Space, Sports Training & Performance Space, 100x60 Yard Synthetic Turf, Tennis Courts, a Playground and Dog Park. The District is also committed to preserving and protecting the natural areas adjacent to the Belmont Prairie and buffer by providing new nature-based education opportunities at the request of community members. VIEW THE 2020 SURVEY SUMMARY ENVISIONING THE FUTURE Since the beginning of 2021, the Downers Grove Park District has worked with the design team at Wight & Company to create conceptual design plans for the site at no cost to the District. These initial renderings and site plans will help the community to envision the future of the site and possible amenities it could offer. The initial proposal incorporates a majority of the recommended and desired indoor and outdoor recreation amenities as well as nature-based recreation opportunities, including an interpretive pavilion. Additional native landscaping would complement Belmont Prairie and provide a sound buffer and privacy for the homes of nearby residents. The District anticipates the long-term master plan for the Walnut Park property to be implemented over numerous years and a series of phases. VIEW PROPOSED MASTER PLAN VIEW the BOARD PRESENTATION VIEW THE WALNUT PARK MASTER PLAN Q&A COMPLETE THE FEEDBACK FORM HELP PLAN YOUR PARK! Community input is a vital component in developing new recreation amenities to meet the current and future needs and desires of residents living in Downers Grove. The Park District invites the community to attend an upcoming Plan Your Park Open House to preview the concepts and give feedback as we continue the long-term master planning process for the Walnut Park property. Walnut Park Pavilion on Walnut Ave.Tuesday, Sept. 28: 4-6pm (Site walkthrough at 5pm)Wednesday, Oct. 6: 12-2pm (Site walkthrough at 1pm)Saturday, Oct. 9: 10am-12pm (Site walkthrough at 11am) Walnut Park Pavilion on Walnut Ave.Tuesday, Sept. 28: 4-6pm (Site walkthrough at 5pm)Wednesday, Oct. 6: 12-2pm (Site walkthrough at 1pm)Saturday, Oct. 9: 10am-12pm (Site walkthrough at 11am) Preview the long-term master plan and conceptual drawings proposed for Walnut Park. District staff will be available for questions and will welcome feedback from the community. Staff will also provide a site walkthrough for those interested. Refreshments will be served. In the case of inclement weather, the open house will be moved to the Downers Grove Recreation Center.    Can't make our Plan Your Park Open Houses? View our presentation and provide feedback through our feedback form! View our presentation This press release was produced by the owners Grove Park District. The views expressed here are the author's own.