West Park Improvements Project

Location
West Park

Address
1730 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook IL 60062

Project Status
Planning

Planning 100% Complete

100%

Construction 0% Complete

Project Updates

February 26, 2026

As part of the Northbrook Park District’s commitment to taking care of what we have, we are excited to share that a renovation of West Park is scheduled for 2026. This 24-acre community park is located at 1730 Pfingsten Road behind the Northbrook Sports Center.

What is included in this park renovation project?

A new playground with increased accessibility, ramped play areas and synthetic turf safety surface
A new picnic shelter near the playground
Replacement of three tennis courts
Replacement of one sand volleyball court
New native planting areas along the trail
Trail additions along the parking lot to create a two-thirds of a mile continuous loop within the park
A new multi-sport court featuring hockey and basketball
New park amenities such as benches, garbage/recycling cans and a drinking fountain with bottle filler and dog bowl

This park renovation is scheduled to commence in mid to late spring 2026, with completion in fall 2026.

Please keep the following information in mind during construction:

During this project there will be a heavy focus on the area surrounding the playground, tennis courts and sand volleyball court in the northeast section of the park.
The parking lot between the playground and the Sports Center facility will be the main area for staging and equipment storage and this lot will be closed for the duration of the project.
Additional areas of the parking lots will be closed for shorter time frames to accommodate specific needs such as the walking paths and planting areas.
Contractors have been instructed to use the entrance and exit off Pfingsten Road for the majority of the construction traffic, but there may be some construction vehicles using Koepke Road — specifically for the installation of trees and native areas on the west side of the park.

Northbrook Park District has a robust Urban Forestry Management Plan to ensure the health and proper maintenance of the Park District’s natural resources. Trees are an investment in our park system, and we want to ensure that all trees planted have the best chance for survival both short and long term. The plan also includes maintenance of declining trees and invasive species.

As part of this plan, the following management items will be initiated at West Park:

The taller Bald Cypress trees on the west side of the playground along with one tree near the sand volleyball court will remain as part of the project.
Trees on the east and south sides of the playground will be removed to accommodate the expanded playground area, with a new permanent shelter adjacent to the playground offering additional shade to users.
The project includes the removal of invasive and declining trees, including several Box Elder, Cottonwood and Buckthorn trees located along the park’s north boundary.
Over 17,000 square feet of naturalized areas will be planted including 23 species of native seed and 13 native plant plugs; more information is included in this mailing.
Tree planting will begin at the conclusion of the project in fall 2026 and resume in spring 2027. The majority of the tree plantings will occur within the construction area in 2026 and 2027 and then spread out to the rest of the park in 2028 and 2029.
Species and locations will be dictated by our Urban Forestry Management Plan for the Park District as a whole.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience during this project as we provide new and improved recreational activities and natural assets for the community for years to come.

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

February 8, 2026

Project is out to public bid. Construction anticipated to commence in May 2026.

September 12, 2025

As part of the Northbrook Park District’s commitment to taking care of what we have, we are excited to share that a renovation of West Park is scheduled for 2026! This 24-acre community park is located at 1730 Pfingsten Road behind the Northbrook Sports Center.

Several Existing Amenities will be Renovated:

Three tennis courts
One sand volleyball court
The playground, including increased accessibility and ramped play areas
Segments of existing trail

New Additions to the Park Include:

Synthetic turf safety surface at the playground
A new picnic shelter
Added sections of trail to create a two-thirds mile continuous loop within the park
A multi-use sport court featuring hockey and basketball
Native plantings
New equipment including benches, garbage/recycling cans and a drinking fountain with bottle filler and dog bowl

While many of the park amenities have already been planned based on community input gathered over the past 18 months, the playground design still needs to be finalized. And that is where you come in! The Park District Board of Commissioners has approved three playground designs, and we are currently looking for your input and vote.

Please take a few minutes to complete our West Park Playground Survey. Voting is open through October 3, 2025.

Vote for Playground Design opens in new tab

August 4, 2025

The West Park improvements project team is working on design and development for this community park renovation. A survey is scheduled to open up to residents in September to obtain community-wide input on playground equipment selections.

May 2, 2025

As part of the Northbrook Park District’s commitment to taking care of what we have, staff are in the planning stages for a renovation at West Park, a 24 acre public park located at 1730 Pfingsten Road behind the Northbrook Sports Center. Construction is scheduled for 2026.

The overall project has been approved by the Park District Board of Commissioners and includes the renovation of three tennis courts, one sand volleyball court, the playground and segments of existing trail. New additions include synthetic turf safety surface at the playground, a new picnic shelter, sections of trail to create a two-thirds mile continuous loop within the park, a multi-use sport court, native plantings and new equipment including benches, garbage/recycling cans and a drinking fountain with bottle filler and dog bowl.

Community input is very important to us. Please take a few minutes to complete our West Park Playground Survey by Friday, May 16, 2025. Survey closed on Friday, May 16, 2025

January 13, 2025

The Northbrook Park District has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources opens in new tab (IDNR) to fund improvements at West Park.

The grant from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development opens in new tab (OSLAD) program will help fund a project that will include the renovation of three tennis courts, one sand volleyball court and segments of existing trail and the playground, as well as the addition of a picnic shelter, segments of trail to create a two-thirds mile continuous loop within the park, a multi-use sport court and native plantings.

August 2, 2024 (Updated August 8, 2024)

Attend a West Park Community Input Meeting on Monday, August 12 from 6-7pm at Techny Prairie Activity Center.

Northbrook Park District is considering improvements to West Park, located at 1730 Pfingsten Road behind Northbrook Sports Center. As part of this process, the Park District is considering submitting an application for an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development opens in new tab (OSLAD) Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources opens in new tab (IDNR) to help fund a potential renovation.

Two concept plans have been developed to show possible park amenities. Attend the Community Input Meeting on August 12 to view the plans and share your thoughts.

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

May 15, 2024

There are several ways to share your input for this park:

Complete the West Park Survey opens in new tab below by June 14, 2024.
Attend the West Park Community Meeting on Thursday, May 30 from 6:30pm–7:30pm in the Northbrook Sports Center Community Room, 1730 Pfingsten Road. This facilitated meeting is open to the public and will include focused questions, brainstorming, discussion and identification of preferences.

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