Barrie Park features a designed sled hill, a ball field and soccer field, a creative play area, ornamental and shade trees, and a walking path that encircles the park. It is located directly east of Barrie Center, a facility featuring a field house, indoor playground, tot lot, basketball, and pickleball courts.
History
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. A master plan was created for Barrie Park in 2015, and was completed in 2023-2024, including upgrades to the playground, sled hill, and the addition of a natural play area.
