About 50 La Grange residents turned out July 20 for a public input meeting on plans to refurbish Waiola Park, 500 S. Waiola Ave.
Jenny Bechtold, executive director of the Park District of La Grange, presented the latest plan for upgrading the 3.6 acre park, considered by many area residents as an essential part of the neighborhood.
“We heard all your feedback from the first presentation,” Bechtold said referring to the first meeting in June which prompted some criticism from residents.
Also present was landscape architect Patty King from Wright and Company.
The plan essentially keeps the same features that have served the park for decades, but makes small changes and will completely refurbish the existing facilities.
The two T-ball fields will remain, as will the basketball court, the soccer field, playground area, and walking path that circles the park.
But that path will be made wider, going from 4 feet to 8 feet and, for safety reasons, be moved 20 feet farther away from 47th Street in the north end.
Also added will be a pollinator garden in the south end of the park near 48th Street, a fitness station on the playground, the demolition of a small park building along 48th Street, and a shelter near the playground.
The plan is in keeping with a key goal of the 2022-2032 Comprehensive Master Plan. That goal, as listed on the District’s website, is to continue to “maintain and improve existing parks, facilities, and amenities.”
Waiola Park, along with the 5.7 acre Gilbert Park, is classified as a “neighborhood park.” These are parks that serve residents in a variety of age groups. They typically include designated play areas, picnic areas, ball fields, open space and walking paths.
In order to finance the project, the Park District intends to apply for a grant from the State’s Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Program (OSLAD). The application for the grant has to be in by August 31.
If awarded, the grant will come in the form of a matching grant for $500,000, meaning the Park District will have to also come up with the same amount, making the total cost approximately $1 million.
Park District staff will formally present the grant application to the District’s Board of Commissioners at its August meeting.
Bechtold pointed out that most of the equipment in the park needs to be replaced.
“These items have passed their useful lives,” she said while standing on the cracked surface of the basketball court and noting that the playground equipment was installed in 1995.
“We are adding more benches,” King said, responding to an audience question. She echoed Bechtold’s comments about the equipment, saying “it’s all going to be replaced.”
The residents were supportive of the new plan, but they did have questions.
One wanted to know if the state matching grant came with any “strings attached.”
Bechtold answered that the only conditions the state required were that they keep those facilities in place for 25 years and that the work is completed within two years of receiving the grant.
Another resident questioned the wisdom of removing the small building along 48th Street.
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“The building right now is not utilized,” Patty King said. “We want to create more open space.”
Former Village Trustee Nancy Kenney was impressed with the plan.
“This park is an absolute jewel,” she said after the presentation. “More than any other park in the village, it means a lot to people.”
Kenney said she would like the District to “reconsider” taking down the small building, as it might serve a purpose in the future.
Park District Commissioner Stephanie Posey said that she was “happy that the community was happy. It’s a perfect example of government and people working together. It really works.”
Nancy Orr-Depner was pleased.
“I’m delighted with the new plan,” she said. “I’m glad that they listened to the community.”
The next meeting of the Park District Board of Commissioners is 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14 at 536 East Ave.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.