Northbrook Park District - Northbrook, Illinois

On December 16, 2011, the Park District closed on a six-acre parcel at 180 North Anets Drive. The property has been annexed into the Village and become part of Techny Prairie Park and Fields. The former manufacturing plant on the parcel will be removed. Workers have installed fencing around the building, and the gas and electric service have been disconnected. Demolition is expected to begin in mid-May. Many of the materials (brick, steel and concrete) will be reused. No decision has been made about the future of the property.

The Park District is continuing a public process to determine how to use the land and to collect community feedback about recreation options. In 2009, a Community Survey identified residents’ greatest unmet needs as: walking and biking trails, indoor fitness and exercise facilities, outdoor swimming pools/water parks, indoor running/walking track and indoor swimming/leisure pools. Click here to view 2009 Community Survey results.

As a follow-up to the 2009 survey, the Park District commissioned a survey In January and February of 2012 to collect community feedback about recreational options and help determine how to use the six-acre parcel. The survey was conducted by Leisure Vision/ETC Institute, an independent, nationally known consulting firm that specializes in park and recreation surveys. Click here for a summary of the results.

Thank you to everyone who attended our March Community Forums to discuss the results of the
2012 Community Survey. The Park District is waiting for a compilation of the feedback from the forum facilitators and will share that report with our residents.

This Summer the Northbrook Park District will be renovating the playground and tennis courts at Crestwood Park. Thank you to those who participated in the survey. Additional information will be posted at a later time.

Master Plan	Concept A	Concept B

The Park District is committed to building a dog park in Northbrook and is currently evaluating suitable locations.

Based on the 2009 Community Interest and Opinion Survey, almost one-third of Northbrook residents want a dog park, where people and their pets can socialize and dogs can run freely in a safe, contained area. The Park District also held Master Plan meetings in spring of 2011 where residents suggested a dog park as one of the amenities to consider for future District developments.

The Northbrook Park District is setting the stage for the next 10-20 years with Master Plans for three of the larger parks. Based on input from the public and from staff, the Hitchcock Design Group has developed Master Plans for each park. “We’re excited to be able to make improvements and enhancements at these parks,” says Jennifer Rooks-Lopez, Park Planner/Project Manager with the Northbrook Park District. “We want to improve the experience for the people who use the facilities.”

Just east of downtown, Meadowhill Park could receive a new playground between the Chalet and the main parking lot. Park planners also have suggested adding picnic shelters, improving the Chalet and creating access to the Chicago River. According to Rooks-Lopez, “even some of the residents don’t know there is a connection between the two parks.”

At Wood Oaks Green Park, on the west side, the concept plans show additional trails, more picnic shelters and enhanced landscaping. The Park District is considering enhancing the fishing area, water quality and shoreline treatment at Lake Shermerville. Plans also continue about lighting the tennis courts and a softball field at this premier facility.

Near central Northbrook, West Park could gain an expansion of the walking trail, to make a continuous loop. Plans call for improved storm water management to keep the baseball fields dry. The plan would also reconstruct the driveway to relieve traffic congestion around the Northbrook Sports Center.

At all three sites, the Park District wants to update park amenities and infrastructure and incorporate results of the Community Interest and Opinion Survey. The District will consider bringing in sustainable elements at each location, such as low-maintenance turf areas and more efficient lighting.

Final Master Plan Concepts
Meadowhill Park	West Park	Wood Oaks Green Park
Master Plan	Master Plan	Master Plan