Barrie Park & Center
Continued investment in our parks and facilities is critical to the District’s mission. The Park Board’s policy states that each park site plan will be revisited and updated within a 10-year period. The Park District is in the process of revisiting each park site plan per this policy in order to identify additional park amenities desired by our residents, to budget strategically for these improvements and to be prepared for grant opportunities.
If you have questions or would like to provide feedback on park plans currently in progress, please contact Bill Hamilton, Deputy Director of Properties & Planning. (opens email app)
Current Plan
The 0.9 acre site at the southwest corner of Lombard and Garfield was acquired in 1932, and named for the children’s author James Barrie. It includes a center originally designed by Arthur B. Maiworm. The adjacent 3.3 acre park was acquired in 1965, and had been the site of a manufactured gas plant from 1893-1931. Soil contamination was discovered in 1999, and remediation was undertaken through a coordinated effort by the Park District, Village of Oak Park, ComEd, and NiCor. Cleanup and restoration took place from 2001-2005. Barrie Center is located on top of a Village underground potable water tank.
Improvements to Barrie Park, done through the remediation project and completed in 2005, included: new ball fields and a multi-use sport field with irrigation, a sled hill, walkways, playground equipment, and patio. Near the center, improvements included a new tot lot, sport courts, and an accessible ramp. Other improvements in both locations included benches, drinking fountains, bicycle racks, landscaping and lighting. In 2006, improvements to Barrie Center included roof repair, lock and door replacement, and creation of storage spaces to secure equipment. In 2007, these center improvements were completed. In March 2008, improvements included making the restrooms ADA accessible and creating both interior and exterior access, upgrading restroom fixtures, upgrading ventilation systems, creating a customer service kiosk, replacing railings, improving common areas, and reorganizing office workspace. An upgrade of the local fire alarm system was completed in 2008, which replaced the system installed in 1965. The new system allows for constant fire/smoke detection and direct communication alerts to emergency agencies. Improvements were made again in 2023 to the playgrounds, ball fields, sports courts, and a new picnic area and pickleball courts were added in 2023 and 2024.
