
August 25, 2022 at 9:50am
Project Planning – 75% CompletionNorthbrook Park District is currently planning improvements to Williamsburg Square Park located at 200 Lee Road, Northbrook. We are reaching out to ask you to provide input for your neighborhood park.
On August 24, the Board of Park Commissioners approved a resolution to support application for an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The Northbrook Park District was awarded a $600,000 grant for improvements to this park.
Community Open Houses for Williamsburg Square Park, facilitated by Hitchcock Design Group, were held on Wednesday, September 7 from 6pm-7pm in the Prairie Room at Techny Prairie Activity Center located in Techny Prairie Park and Fields at 180 Anets Drive, Northbrook, on Thursday, September 8 from 6pm-7pm at Heritage Oaks Golf Club, 3535 Dundee Road, Northbrook, and on Tuesday, September 27 from 4:30pm-6:30pm at Joe Doud Administration Building, 545 Academy Drive, Northbrook.
Community members were able to discuss the project with staff members and project consultants, view current design plans, review survey results from the spring and provide your feedback for this park. If you are unable to attend the Open Houses, comments can also be submitted by email.
Frequently Asked Questions
The playground at Williamsburg Square Park is 23 years old and the tennis and basketball courts are 30 years old. Based on their age and condition these assets are considered to be past their useful life and are ready for replacement or renovation.
The project timeline aligns with the 2023 Illinois Department of Natural Resources OSLAD Grant Program.
This program could potentially provide $600,000 to the Park District to help fund the project.
- New playground
- Two new tennis courts
- Two new pickleball courts
- New basketball court
- Replace the existing walking path with a new asphalt surface
- New 16’ × 16’ shade shelter with tables
- Expansion of native plantings and natural areas
- New trees on the park perimeter
- ADA improvements to the park pathway layout
Top Survey Results:
- Playground update/renovation
- Add bathrooms
- Improve walking path
- More benches
- Add shade shelter
Due to the high costs ($300,000–$400,000) of constructing restroom facilities, the District has not traditionally installed them in neighborhood parks. Restroom facilities are appropriate at community parks as these sites are larger, provide dedicated accessible parking and are considered destination parks.
The District has five community parks, ten neighborhood parks, and three mini parks. Only four of the five community parks have dedicated restroom facilities.
The District is applying for a $600,000 OSLAD grant to alleviate some of the costs.
The project is not funded by a tax increase.