Oak Park, IL (April 15, 2024) – As part of the Park District of Oak Park’s design competition to renovate or replace the Field Center, residents are asked to provide feedback during a public comment session.
The public may view the designs at the Community Recreation Center from Thursday, April 25, through Sunday, May 5. Each design display will have a QR code to anonymously collect responses, focusing on how well each design aligns with the Park District’s values.
“Community feedback is a pivotal step in the Field Center renovation,” said Jan Arnold, Executive Director of the Park District of Oak Park. “We want to ensure that the project embodies excellent design principles and reflects the Park District’s sustainable, inclusive and innovative values.”
Judges will view the designs and evaluate each based on creativity, strength of the design concept, functionality, sustainability, interpretation of the design guidelines and public comment. The top three submissions will advance to the next round.
The competition jury, comprised of architects, designers and building experts from the community, will then interview the finalists and review their designs. The winning team will be awarded a $1.8 million contract to complete the construction.
The competition is a callback to the Field Center’s original construction: It was developed after a design competition for a “Playground Structure” in 1926 won by John Van Bergen. Van Bergen’s designs were also built at the Park District’s Fox, Stevenson, Andersen and Carroll parks.
For further information, visit https://pdop.org/ or contact Edith Wood at edith.wood@pdop.org.
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About Park District of Oak Park: The Park District of Oak Park serves the recreation needs of Oak Park’s 52,000 residents, providing nearly 8,000 programs and special events annually throughout our versatile recreation centers, 18 parks totaling 84 acres, a community recreation center, two outdoor pools, indoor ice rink, gymnastic center, the Oak Park Conservatory, Cheney Mansion and Pleasant Home. Since 1912, our high-quality programs and well-maintained parks and facilities have dependably met residents’ diverse leisure, wellness, childcare and other needs and helped enhance quality of life. Learn more at https://www.pdop.org/.
Interested in learning more about the Oak Park Conservatory? Click here to read Joy Aaronson’s article, “A Respite in Busy Oak Park,” published in the Wednesday Journal.
The Northwest Hockey League (NWHL) named the Ice Bear’s very own Baird Harper the Coach of the Year. Congrats, Coach Baird!
Baird Harper joined the Ice Bear volunteer coaching staff four years ago. He has developed into a premier coach, securing the respect of both his players and their families. Baird brings a love of the game and a level of intensity that has resulted in his players improving in their skill level and developing a deeper love of the game.
While coaching his team to a high level of competitiveness he has managed to make sure the kids do not lose the reason they lace up their skates – a love of the sport of hockey. Baird understands that NWHL exists to grow the sport and to provide a home for any child interested in the sport. And Baird’s devotion to the game and his contagious energy will continue to attract kids to the game and keep them playing. This is clear from a response from one of his players when asked what he thought about Coach Baird: “Coach Baird is an amazing coach, he was kind and caring but he always pushed us to be the best payers we could be.”
With one child in hockey and one in figure skater, as well as playing hockey himself, Baird and the Harper family are a huge part of the community at Ridgeland Common. We are sincerely grateful for their continued support and the endless hours Baird puts into the Ice Bears program.
