The Glencoe Park District is considering an estimated $1.5 million renovation of West Park as officials are set to apply for a state grant in an effort to offset some of the costs.
At a pair of Aug. 3 meetings, the Park District showcased an initial design concept for the envisioned upgrade of West Park, which sits next to West School at the intersection of Dundee Road and Forestway Drive.
Some highlights of the projected face-lift include renovating the current athletic fields with new backstops, dugouts and spectator seating and upgrades to the two existing tennis courts. In addition, another tennis court would be converted to a pickleball court and there would be an addition of a small picnic shelter and an ADA-accessible walking path, according to Park District documents.
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“There are very few or minimal pathways as the park exists today which creates accessibility challenges,” Hitchcock Design Group Senior Planner Steve Konters said.
The concept calls for maintaining one large field, rather than splitting it into two smaller fields.
“We thought it was very important to keep the open design of this for open field play,” said Park District Executive Director Lisa Sheppard. “We want to make sure this field is used on weekends for soccer games or Frisbee or whatever else should happen.”
Sheppard added there would not be an exclusive field for softball, but there could be dedicated nights for softball use.
The plan also calls for changes intended to improve drainage with the installation of an artificial infield and a new outfield drain, according to Park District spokeswoman Erin Classen.
Park District officials are not recommending adding sports field lighting, a permanent outfield fence or changes to the parking on nearby Cherry Tree Lane.
“It’s really well thought out,” said Commissioner Michael Covey.
Overall, Konters placed an estimated $1.5 million price tag on the entire conceptual design.
Another amenity being considered for the project is the addition of a bathroom at the field, but Konters said the installation of a bathroom, which requires the creation of water, electrical and sanitary lines carries an estimated cost of $250,000 to $300,000.
The bathroom may only be installed if the Park District secures a State of Illinois Open Space Land and Development (OSLAD) grant, which could be as much as $400,000.
Sheppard acknowledged the entire project might not go forward if the OSLAD grant application is not successful and she did not rule out additional design changes.
If the OSLAD grant comes through, the Park District would have to match whatever funds come from the state. To further offset costs, there is potential for other partnerships and grants including Glencoe District 35, Classen added.
The park board authorized staff to move forward with the application that is due Sept. 1.
“We do not want to miss out on an opportunity to improve the athletic and recreation amenities at West Park,” Classen said.
In a corresponding move, the District 35 school board voted unanimously at their Aug. 5 meeting to lease out some of the land to the Park District for a nominal fee in another requirement from the state for the application.
Classen said it could be as long as six months before the Park District hears whether the application was approved by the state.
The Park District received a $400,000 OSLAD grant in January 2020 for the refurbishment of Duke Park near Old Green Bay Road.
If the project moves forward, this would be the second time in less than five years that changes would be made to the West Park campus. In 2017, the Park District and Glencoe District 35 participated in an intergovernmental agreement toward a refurbishment of the playground outside West School.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter.
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