While a majority of Oak Park residents voted “no” on the recent bond referendum to fund an indoor aquatics facility at the Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex, the Park District remains focused on meeting the community’s recreational needs.
“The Park District of Oak Park Board of Commissioners and staff remain committed to serving our community and appreciate the strong engagement throughout this process,” said Kassie Porreca, President of the Park District Board of Commissioners. “We respect the outcome of the vote and will continue working to provide high-quality recreational spaces and programs for all.”
“We are grateful to residents who participated at every stage — from sharing input through
surveys and attending informational sessions to making their voices heard at the polls,” added Jan Arnold, Executive Director. “This level of engagement reflects the community’s deep commitment to parks and recreation. Moving forward, the District will evaluate options for the outdoor pool at Ridgeland Common while continuing to deliver meaningful and accessible programs.”
As part of its long-term planning, the District will engage the community through planning
meetings to assess future improvements for the Ridgeland outdoor pool, with construction
anticipated for 2031–2032 at an estimated cost of $10 million. For ongoing updates on programs, projects, and services, please visit www.pdop.org and follow us on social media.
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About Park District of Oak Park: The Park District of Oak Park serves the recreation needs of Oak Park’s 54,000 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 pdop.org/.