Oaklane Park Renovation Project

May 22, 2022 at 11:50am

Project Construction In Progress – 40% Completion

The Northbrook Park District is excited to announce the start of the upcoming renovation project at Oaklane Park, 636 Berglund Place. Construction is scheduled to begin April 19 with project completion scheduled for late fall of this year.

While the Park is closed, the closest parks are Meadowhill Park, 1479 Maple Road, and Crestwood Park, 1824 Milton Avenue. The overall project timeline is dependent upon supply chain and material delivery as well as weather conditions. During the closure and renovation, the Park is a construction site and caution should be taken in the area.

In 2019, the District started the community input process for improvements at Oaklane Park at 636 Berglund Place. An initial survey was made available to residents, concepts for the park were developed, and a community Open House was hosted at the park in August of that year to gather additional input from neighbors.

The project was deferred in 2020 following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In summer 2021, the District applied to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for a 2022 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant. Under normal circumstances, grant results would have been published by IDNR in January 2022. In March 2022, the District received the following information from IDNR:

“Due to the large volume of applications and highly competitive grant program, in conjunction with limited staff levels, the FY22 OSLAD/LWCF grant awards will be delayed… Due to limited staff we do not anticipate announcing grant awards until late summer or fall of 2022, and don’t anticipate executing Grant Agreements until winter of 2022. Grant implementation and project construction is anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2023.”

In the summer of 2022, the District was awarded this grant in the amount of $400,000 to support this project.

The renovation plan reflects input gathered from the community and includes the following elements:

• Conversion of the two tennis courts to one tennis court and two pickleball courts with new fencing
• Replacement of both the 2-5 year old and 5-12 year old play structures
• Reconfiguration of the swing area to include an accessible path to the transfer swing
• New 20’X20’ picnic shelter and game tables
• The addition of a .2 mile trail loop around the park perimeter
• New benches, drinking fountain with dog bowl, bike rack and recycling/trash receptacles
• Installation of native plantings, seeding, sodding, a butterfly garden and interpretive signage

With community input, the District completed and adopted a ten-year Comprehensive Master Plan which includes an annual Capital Improvement Plan. Community input conducted with this planning has indicated a priority for maintaining the District’s current assets. This project is one of several repair and replacement projects planned for 2023 as Northbrook Park District continues to enhance our community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship.

For more information about this project, contact us by email or call 847-291-2960.