Oak Lawn Park District Plans for New Park, Multiple Renovations
A $4 million state grant is helping fund a couple major park overhauls--including the return of the "Rocket Slide"--and a brand new park in Oak Lawn.
Historic photo of "Rocket Slide Park" from 1977. The Oak Lawn Park District plans to bring back a bigger and better rocket slide to Memorial Park.
Courtesy of Oak Lawn Library
Photos (3)
Photos
The Oak Lawn Park District has big plans in store for several existing parks and one brand new park, Sun-Times Media reports.
A $4 million state grant will help fund a series of new projects proposed by the park district. Here’s a look at some of their plans:
- Memorial Park Renovation: The nine-acre park will see splash pads, new paths and landscaping around the pond and a nostalgic return of a new rocket slide—only bigger and better than the one that was torn down decades ago. Scheduled for completion this summer.
- Worthbrook Park Renovation: The park district plans on pumping $400,000 into the 89th Street and Ridgeland Ave. park, last updated in 2003. Future plans involve replacing both playgrounds and skate park upgrades. The park district is pursuing an additional grant to fund this project.
- New 52nd Avenue and 89th Street Park: The mature trees surrounding this three-acre site will frame this upcoming “passive park.” A garden with a fountain and benches is included in the $300,000 plan. The park district hopes to finish the project by midsummer.
- Community Pavilion Upgrades: Improvements, including an additional gym, are scheduled for completion at the 9401 S. Oak Park Ave. facility this summer.
Tom S.
7:17 am on Sunday, March 17, 2013
Nice to know that the State Of Illinois, which is broke, has some extra cash to spend. Also, glad to see that while my street looks like a section of the Ho Chi Minh trail we are going to use the money to fix the skate park......
qazrewu2
11:39 am on Sunday, March 17, 2013
What about the dog park, we pay for that and it looks like crap. Whom ever is incharge of the dog park is doing a lousy job. Put someone that cares about animals incharge, becauce clearly the person w/ the job now does not.
Tricia F
12:08 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
I remember playing at the park when I was a child and now it's wonderful to hear that my tax dollars will be going toward a place where the whole family will be able to enjoy our day BUT it sounds a bit over the top I think that those tax dollar would better benefit the people who work them. Back off on some of those extras and stop dreaming bigger is better.
Jessica Johnson
12:09 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
I heard the dog park was beautiful, what's wrong with it?
Larry
1:04 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
Oak Lawn doesn't prioritize. The cops consistently let people speed down 95th street and nothing is done and they want new parks???? How about enforcing the speed limit instead of spending money on those frivilous Red Light monitors. Spee is whjat kills not going through a yellow light. Go Sandy Bury Go!!!
Your Doctor
1:23 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
Typical Sandy Bury supporter: No clue! The Village of Oak Lawn has nothing to do with the Park District. It is a separate elected governmental body.
By the way, would you like to hire 20 more cops to patrol 95th St for speeders?
OakLawnGuy
2:19 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
Funds are earmarked. Money earmarked for the parks goes to the parks. Money earmarked for law enforcement goes to law enforcement. It's not a purse. Contact your trustee/mayor/state rep/state senator if you have objections.
david
2:33 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
i would agree with your doctor on this one. and were sorry but some of us actually drive and not ride a bike around town like u larry. you want to them to hear your voice but when was the last time u actually attended a village board or park board meeting? there are other things that they can do and will do that they have taken the time to plan and execute. if u dont like it u can get the signatures and run for office yourself to see what goes on in town. so dont just start going off about how u want more cops on the street to get speeders the red light cameras are one of the biggest revenue sources for the village and that is a different story in itself.
andy skoundrianos
10:33 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
Are you daves doctor or bob's doctor just wondering??
BibbidyBobbidyBoo
1:41 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
I live next to Rocket Slide Park. I miss the old slide, but the caliber of park-goer at this location is certainly not going to miss the opportunity to deface every improvement and expensive piece of equipment installed. I do, however, applaud improvements at Worthbrook Park. That was my park when I grew up at 88th & Moody. We knew it as "the park with no trees".
Pat F
3:52 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
Worthbrook also has a lot of bad visitors!!. Walk by the cars in lot and over by Chinese restaurant.. Very Few Oak Lawn stickers! Nice to see we're redoing our parks for all the nonresidents!!
OakLawnGuy
5:46 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
That's a safety issue. OL can't just ignore its parks because some out-of-towners want to play basketball there - bangers or not. And there are plenty of OL loiterers at the parks later in the evening as well.
Cori
4:12 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
There comes a point where the residents in a town have to pitch in to help keep their community a nice place to live. We have to be out and be seen using our parks, walking through our neighborhoods and patronizing our businesses. It used to be that a kid couldn't get away with much because news of their misdeeds got home before they did. People took responsibility for keeping others accountable. We can still do that. We most all have cell phones and can call if we see anything. Just being out and aware helps. It has to be a good number of us. There is strength in numbers. If we are blessed with nice parks then let's go and enjoy them. Don't give the troublemakers an opening to get started.
Nikki
9:38 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
Very well said, thank you! Many forget that community begins with "you" and everyone needs to do what they can, no matter how big or small.
andy skoundrianos
10:32 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
Everyone during my childhood remembers rocket slide park That's what we still call it to this day.. Memorial park was a wonderful place to go swimming,play some hoops or even tennis. I am happy that today's children will be able to have their own rocket slide now for themselves.. Kudos to the park district forgetting these improvements
Nolan
10:32 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
That's great that the parks are getting renovated but what about a park area in Oak Lawn that is exclusively for adults to exercise? One of the large parks with a walking/running path should have outdoor exercise equipment stations in place around the path similar to what EP has at 88th and Kedzie. I have to go there to exercise outdoors or use the kids playground equipment in our parks. Doing that gets me some strange looks from kids and parents (which are sitting on their butts instead of playing with their kids) alike. This would do so much to help fight the obesity epidemic in Oak Lawn. Many other cities and towns across the country have adult body weight exercise equipment at their parks. I have brought it up to the park district twice before over the years. Lets make this happen.
BibbidyBobbidyBoo
9:29 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I like this idea. There is space for such equipment at the Wolfe Wildlife site, which has a wonderful walking path that I use. I am anxious for spring so I can get out there again!