LaGrange Park takes suggestions on parks

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Updated: April 10, 2012 11:55AM

The Park District of LaGrange Park continued laying out a vision and accepting feedback on the future of the village’s parks during a meeting Monday at the Plymouth Place retirement community.

“It’s been a positive experience. People are open-minded and understand that this is the idea stage,” said Executive Director Roy Cripe of the planning process.

About 15 residents attended to offer feedback.

In addition to taking in further suggestions on plans for Memorial Park along La Grange Road and Beach-Oak Park to the east, park district officials outlined potential changes at four other parks.

Existing positive features and potential improvements to better use space were listed for Stone Monroe Park, between Stone and Waiola avenues along Monroe Avenue; Robinhood Park, between 31st and 30th streets and Robinhood Lane and Forest Road; Yena Park, between 29th and 28th streets and Harrison and Raymond avenues; and Hanesworth Park, surrounding the Recreation Center at 1501 Barnsdale Road.

“There’s quite a bit of cosmetic things we can do. The smaller picnic shelters at those parks are starting to be rough looking,” said Cripe, who also noted issues concerning proper access for persons with physical challenges.

Residents told park officials having restroom facilities at each park are important, but improvements need to be made in the appearance.

“At Robinhood, we were noticing the playground accommodates older children pretty well, but little toddlers are being left out with the playground structure in that area,” he said. “The tennis courts may be under-utilized there, and there may be something we could do there instead. People have mentioned an interest in bocce ball, or bags, or maybe a skate park.”

The remaining sand volleyball court at Yena Park is under study, Cripe said.

“There used to be two courts there a long time ago, and then just one when the courts were added at Memorial Park,” he said. “The one court doesn’t get all that much use there and may be better relocated to Hanesworth.”

And at Hanesworth, the concession stand isn’t getting as much use as it once had. It may be better used as a storage facility or some other option, Cripe suggested.

Some of the baseball, softball and soccer fields could be reconfigured, depending on input from area sports organizations at a meeting later in February, he said.

“We’re looking for the most efficient use of space for everyone’s enjoyment,” he said.

Park Board members have set Memorial Park and Beach-Oak Park as higher priorities than the other parks, Cripe said, so more details have been spelled out on those parks, which likely will be improved first.

Tentative plans at Memorial Park call for improved signage, pathways and landscaping, as well as tearing down an aging brick building built in the 1950s, used now for storage and summer day camps. A picnic shelter with a fireplace with restrooms could be added, as well as a splash park.

At Beach-Oak Park, the existing playground with a train theme would remain, as well as lighted basketball, two volleyall, two tennis courts and a multi-use play court.

Improvements to pathways and landscaping also would be made.

The executive director encouraged anyone unable to attend, but who would like to offer suggestions to contact Park Board members or Cripe at (708) 354-4580 or rcripe@communityparkdistrict.org.

A follow-up meeting to refine the concepts presented and incorporate feedback will be held March 19. The Park Board then intends to set priorities based on need and available funding and develop a master plan governing capital improvements for the next five years.