PARKS & CENTERS

Maple Park Renovation

Maple Park is a sprawling 6.9 acre park located in the southwest corner of Oak Park. A major renovation of Maple Park was completed in December, 2016 which included a new playground relocated closer to the east side of the park with a new picnic shelter located nearby, renovation of the two existing ball fields including new backstops and player and spectator areas, and the creation of two new fields for youth soccer and lacrosse. Additionally, climbing boulders were installed in between the two ball fields, pickle ball lines were drawn on the existing tennis courts to introduce Oak Park to this fast growing sport and existing pathwayswere connected to create a looped walking/jogging path from the north end of the park to the south end.  The District also made overall improvements to native landscaping within the park and basic park furnishings such as benches, bike racks, and water fountains.

A site plan for Maple Park was developed in November 2007 through an extensive public input process. Phase I improvements, completed in spring 2011, included construction of a new east side pathway connecting the north side of the park with the south side of the park, tennis court relocation to the southwest corner and the transformation of the former tennis court/basketball areas in the center of the park into a multi-use field/meadow. A dog park was constructed in the northwest corner of the park and more trees, landscaping and walkway lights were added.

On Saturday, April 5, 2014 Governor Quinn announced $16.5 million in grant awards for 46 local park projects across Illinois. Included in the grant announcement was the Park District of Oak Park who was awarded $400,000 in OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) grant funds for Phase II improvements to Maple Park. As of April 2015, all OSLAD grant funding throughout Illinois has been suspended. As a result of solid planning and sound financial policies and procedures, the Park District is able to move forward with this renovation project beginning in July 2016.

For further information, please contact Executive Director Jan Arnold.

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