Phase 2 (Proposed) | Phase 1 (Completed) | Previous 2014 Planning Press Releases

TOWN CENTRE COMMUNITY PARK PLANNING UPDATE & PROPOSED PHASE 2 DEVELOPMENT

Town Centre (also known as the Jubilee site) is located at 7101 Woodridge Drive, Woodridge, IL 60517

View August 30, 2022 Community Open House Presentation Slides
View Updated Schematic Design Master Plan
View Schematic Design Master Plan – Proposed Phase 2 Development Pending OSLAD Grant
Schematic Design Master Plan – Design Features Summary

PARK BOARD APPROVES HITCHCOCK DESIGN GROUP PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE FINAL DESIGN, ENGINEERING, PERMITTING & CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION SERVICES FOR PHASE 2 DEVELOPMENT

June 29, 2023 –Subsequent to approving an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Woodridge to buy out the Village’s 50% share of the Town Centre property in May 2023, the Board of Park Commissioners approved at the June 20, 2023 Regular Board Meeting a proposal and contract agreement for landscape architecture and civil engineering consultant services with Hitchcock Design Group (HDG). HDG’s services includes final design, civil engineering, permitting, bid documentation and construction observation services for the proposed Town Centre Phase 2 Community Park Development (Picnic Grove with Park Shelter & Ancillary Park Features, ADA Accessible Playground, Sand Volleyball & Pickleball Courts, Relocated Community Garden Plots & Mulch Bins, Parking, Access Drive, Recreation Trail, Site Furnishings, Landscaping, Woodland/Prairie Restoration, Stormwater Management, etc.). Final design services are scheduled to commence in July 2023. The bid release for the project is tentatively scheduled in Winter 2024, with anticipated ground breaking in Spring/Summer 2024 pending approval of necessary permits and satisfactory project bid results within budget.

As previously reported, the estimated $2.8MM Phase 2 park development will be funded in part with a $600,000 IDNR OSLAD grant.

PARK BOARD APPROVES IGA AMENDMENT TO BUY-OUT VILLAGE’S SHARE OF TOWN CENTRE PROPERTY & APPROVES RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT $600,000 IDNR OSLAD GRANT

May 16-18, 2023 – The District’s Board of Commissioners at the May 16, 2023 Regular Board Meeting approved an amendment to the Town Centre Intergovernmental Agreement (“IGA”) with the Village of Woodridge to purchase the Village’s 50% ownership share of the Town Centre property for $7.1MM (50% of original purchase price) as fair and reasonable remuneration to be paid over a 20-year payment schedule. The Village of Woodridge Mayor and Board of Trustees subsequently approved the amendment of the IGA at the Village’s May 18, 2023 Regular Board Meeting. The end result of the approved amendment of the IGA shall: 1) protect and preserve the property now, and for future generations in perpetuity, for parks and public grounds, including open space recreation areas and/or park and recreational facilities; 2) integrate and align control of the property into the mission of the Park District; 3) commit to the Park District’s stewardship, management and programming of the property; and 4) provide a high level of stewardship, maintenance and care of the property.

The Board of Commissioners also approved a resolution to authorize the acceptance of a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition & Development (OSLAD) grant agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to offset the $2.8MM estimated cost of the proposed Phase 2 Community Park Development of the 2022 Town Centre Schematic Design Master Plan. Anticipated construction is tentatively scheduled to start in Spring/Summer 2024 pending approval of necessary permits and satisfactory project bid results within budget.

PARK BOARD DISCUSSED IGA AMENDMENT TO BUY-OUT VILLAGE’S SHARE OF TOWN CENTRE PROPERTY

March 25, 2023 – The District’s Board of Commissioners and Staff Leadership Team discussed in depth the Village of Woodridge’s proposal to consider an agreement to purchase the Village’s 50% ownership share of the Town Centre property. The District’s Board reviewed the District’s historical plans and use of the Town Centre property dating back to 1970. Discussion also included but was not limited to the District’s ongoing strategic goal identified in several previous District comprehensive long-range plans to acquire the property identified as a critical park and open space asset to meet the Community’s park and recreation needs, the District’s lease of the property from Community High School District #99 since 1971, and the District’s previous and ongoing recreational and special event programming of the property. The Board discussed, in consideration of accepting the buy-out offer, several conditions and covenants to ensure the property would remain for parks and public grounds, including open space recreation areas and/or park and recreational facilities, in perpetuity.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (IDNR) AWARDS $600,000 OPEN SPACE LAND ACQUISITION & DEVELOPMENT (OSLAD) GRANT

March 1, 2023 – In a March 1st press release, Governor Pritzker’s office announced that 118 park and recreation agencies throughout the State will receive a total of nearly $60 Million in FY23 OSLAD grants. Woodridge Park District was amongst those agencies awarded grant funding. The award was for the full amount requested ($600,000) toward the proposed Town Centre Phase 2 Community Park Development (Picnic Grove with Park Shelter & Ancillary Park Features, ADA Accessible Playground, Sand Volleyball & Pickleball Courts, Relocated Community Garden Plots & Mulch Bins, Parking, Access Drive, Recreation Trail, Site Furnishings, Landscaping, Woodland/Prairie Restoration, Stormwater Management, etc.). A grant agreement with IDNR is required prior to commencing any planning activities towards the proposed project.

PARK BOARD DISCUSSES TOWN CENTRE PROPERTY AMENDMENT TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEEMENT WITH THE VILLAGE OF WOODRIDGE

October 18, 2022 – The District’s Board of Commissioners at the October 18, 2022 Regular Board Meeting discussed options for an amendment to the existing Intergovernmental Agreement (“IGA”) to include but not limited to an offer by the Village of Woodridge to transfer the Village’s fifty percent ownership share of the property to the District pursuant to a purchase agreement which provides the District the rights to solely own, develop and manage the site for a community park and preservation of open space per the approved Town Centre Master Plan.

PARK BOARD APPROVES RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR $600,000 IDNR OSLAD GRANT

September 26, 2022 – The Woodridge Park District Board of Commissioners approved at a Special Board Meeting a Resolution authorizing an Open Space Land Acquisition & Development (OSLAD) application to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources seeking $600,000 in grant funds to be applied towards the Town Centre Phase 2 development of a picnic grove with park shelter to accommodate larger picnics/events to include ancillary park amenities (e.g. playground, sand volleyball/pickleball courts, permanent baggo boards & ping pong tables, drinking fountain, etc.), ADA accessible pathway connections to Jefferson Jr. High School and existing Town Center (Village Hall & Public Library), relocation of garden plots, and infrastructure improvements (e.g. parking lot, storm water management, etc.).

Community Open House Scheduled to Review & Accept Feedback on Updated Town Centre Schematic Design Master Plan

August 16, 2022 – The Woodridge Park District staff presented the 90% complete Schematic Design Master Plan updates and preliminary cost estimate to the Board of Park Commissioners at the August 2022 Regular Board Meeting . The design intent of the 2022 Master Plan update is to incorporate the original proposed improvements/uses identified in the 2014 Town Centre Master Plan approved by both the Village of Woodridge and Woodridge Park District. Updates include establishing locations of proposed park improvements/uses throughout the property to further preserve and best utilize existing topography, open spaces, vegetation and wildlife while improving internal circulation and access to proposed Town Centre park improvements and adjacent Town Centre properties (e.g. Hawthorne Hill Woods, Lake Harriet, Lake Carleton, Jefferson Jr. High School, Town Centre comprise of the Village Hall, Kagann Plaza, Woodridge Public Library, Village Public Works, Woodridge Police Station and U.S. Post Office, Memorial Park and the Fred C. Hohnke Community Center.)

The Park Board and staff further discussed the proposed Phase 2 development plan (note that Phase 1 was the Sled Hill which was completed)  being considered to submit for an OSLAD grant that considers development of a picnic grove with park shelter to accommodate larger picnics/events and to include ancillary park amenities (e.g. playground, sand volleyball or game courts, permanent baggo boards & ping pong tables, drinking fountain, etc.), pathway connections to Jefferson Jr. High School and existing Town Center (Village Hall & Public Library) and relocation of garden plots.

Staff informed the Board of Park Commissioners that the Village and Park District staff are negotiating an amendment to the existing Intergovernmental Agreement which would authorize the Park District to proceed with final design, development and maintenance of the 44 acres in accordance with an approved updated Master Plan to be developed based on a phased approach subject to available grants and capital funding.

Questions/comments about the Master Plan? Send us an email at mail@woodridgeparks.org or attend the Town Centre Open House on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 from 7 – 9 PM  at the Fred C. Hohnke Community Center, 2600 Center Drive, Woodridge.

The purpose of the public open house is to review updates and seek public feedback on the schematic design master plan for the proposed phased park development of the Town Centre property (7101 Woodridge Drive, Woodridge), which is co-owned by the Woodridge Park District & Village of Woodridge.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Land Acquisition & Development Grant (OSLAD) Application Cycle Announced

August 3, 2022 – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) releases details regarding the 2022-2023 OSLAD grant cycle to include an increase in the maximum grant award for development projects from $400,000 to $600,000. The deadline to submit applications is September 30, 2022.

Park Board Approves Consulting Services to Update Town Center Master Plan in Preparation for OSLAD Grant Application for Phase 2 Park Development

April 19, 2022 – The Board of Park Commissioners approved a contract agreement with Hitchcock Design Group to provide schematic design and preliminary engineering services to refine the 2014 Town Centre Concept Master Plan to include the following services: schematic design alternatives for development, preliminary engineering recommendations and schematic stormwater management/mitigation plan, preliminary construction cost opinion, phased implementation plans, design review with Village of Woodridge Engineer, Community Design Input meeting to solicit public input on schematic plan updates, final schematic design master plan documents and Phase 2 plan, and OSLAD Grant Application for 2022.

Illinois Association of Park Districts Announces Approval of FYE2023 State Budget to Include OSLAD Grant Funding

April 11, 2022 – The Illinois State Legislature Spring Session resulted in a historic $56 million appropriation for new OSLAD matching grants for the 2022-2023 grant cycle.

TOWN CENTRE PHASE 1 PARK DEVELOPMENT (SLED HILL)

Town Centre Sled Hill Opened for Play on January 1

January 3, 2022 – The new sled hill, located just west of Jefferson Jr. High’s new athletic field complex, was closed last winter in order to properly establish the hillside turf, but it’s now ready for snow and sledders! The 22-foot hill will be open during daylight hours when conditions allow for sledding. Visit the Woodridge Park District’s Rainout Line web page to view the sled hill’s status and sign up for text or email alerts.

Commissioners Approve Donation Agreement to Construct Sled Hill

April 16, 2019 – Board of Park Commissioners approve donation agreement with Earthworks Landscaping & Restoration, Inc. to provide off-site soil material, grading and final restoration to construct proposed sled hill at no cost to the District.

Woodridge Park District & Village of Woodridge Approve Amendment to the Town Centre IGA to Construct a Sled Hill

May 21, 2019 – The Village and Park District, co-owners of the Town Centre 44 Acre property, approved an amendment to the existing Town Centre IGA to finalize terms for the Park District to take on the full responsibility for the design, construction, maintenance and liability for the sled hill to be located south of the Village Hall and west of Jefferson Jr. High School.

TOWN CENTRE PREVIOUS MASTER PLAN PLANNING HISTORY PRESS RELEASES

Park Board Adopts 2014 Town Centre Concept Master Plan

August 13, 2014 – The Woodridge Park District Board of Park Commissioners officially adopted the proposed Town Centre Master Plan at the August 12, 2014 regular board meeting. The proposed master plan achieves the original goals established in purchasing the property to preserve open space and use for parks, recreation, public grounds and civic purposes. The proposed improvements will further enhance the existing activities that currently take place in the Town Centre area such as the Woodridge Jubilee. The plan also reflects previously planned improvements on Park District owned properties (Hawthorne Hill Woods, Lake Harriet, & Lake Carleton/Community Center) identified in the District’s current Five-year Capital Development Plan.

View 2014 Town Centre Master Plan

The plan will serve as a blueprint as funds become available to guide future decisions on improvements that will further enhance the quality of life for its residents through nature, open space, recreation and civic uses.

The Park District was recently notified of an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant for $200,000 for Lake Harriet improvements that will include but is not limited to a fishing pier and other site amenities. The grant agreement is expected to be finalized within the next few weeks. Construction could potentially start in spring/summer 2015.

View Concept Plans and Provide Feedback at the Town Centre Open House

February 25, 2014 – In 2013 residents provided input at a public workshop and through website feedback on how Woodridge’s Town Centre should be used by the community. Now, the consultant hired by the Village and the Park District has taken the community’s input and created three alternative options for the future use of the property located near Woodridge Drive and Center Drive.

The public is invited to the Town Centre Open House on Monday, March 10th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Edgewood School, 7900 Woodridge Drive. The public Open House will provide residents the opportunity to view and comment on three alternative Town Centre concept plans. There will also be a short presentation at 7:00 pm to summarize the key recommenda­tions for each alternative. Participants are encouraged to stop by anytime between 6:30 and 8:30 pm to view the plans and provide input.

ABOUT THE TOWN CENTRE MASTER PLAN

The Village of Woodridge and Woodridge Park District have been working with a consultant to develop a Town Centre Master Plan that includes a community supported vision that further strengthens the Town Centre as a community focal point. The Town Centre area is located near Woodridge and Center Drives and includes the follow­ing existing facilities: Village Hall, Woodridge Library, Village Police/Public Works facility, Park District Community Center, U.S. Post Office, Jefferson Junior High School, Hawthorne Hill Woods, Memorial Park, Lake Carleton, Lake Har­riet and 44 acres of open space jointly owned by the Village and Park District.

The feedback and suggestions gathered from the March 10^th Open House will be used to formalize the alternatives into a preferred Town Centre Master Plan that will be presented to the Woodridge Plan Commission, Village Board and Park District Board in April.

New Mapping Application Allows Woodridge Residents to Participate in the Town Centre Planning Process

May 30, 2013 – Interested in participating in the Town Centre planning process online? Participants can create their own Town Centre map in an interactive mapping application located on the Town Centre project website. The mapping application allows participants to create a map identifying suggestions, ideas, and concerns related to the Town Centre area.

To get started, visit the project website at www.hlplanning.com/woodridge and click “CREATE A MAP” at the top right corner of the homepage. Once you are in the application, click “Create a new map” on the left side of the page to get started. You will then be prompted to enter your email address, pick a display name and create a password

The Town Centre area is located north of 75th Street and south of Hobson Road and includes the following existing facilities: Village Hall, Woodridge Library, Village Police/Public Works facility, Park District Community Center, U.S Post Office, and Jefferson Junior High School. Public open space within the Town Centre area consists of Hawthorne Hill Woods, Memorial Park, Lake Carleton, Lake Harriet and 44 acres of open space jointly owned by the Village and Park District. The Town Centre Master Plan will identify community preferred open space, recreational and civic land use alternatives for the Town Centre area. A Town Centre Master Plan Community Workshop was held on Wednesday, May 29, which gave Woodridge residents and stakeholder an opportunity to share their vision for the Town Centre area.

Woodridge Town Centre Master Plan

April 15, 2013 – The Village of Woodridge and Woodridge Park District are beginning the process of creating a Town Centre Master Plan. The Town Centre area is located north of 75th Street and south of Hobson Road and includes the following existing facilities: Village Hall, Woodridge Library, Village Police/Public Works facility, Park District Community Center, U.S Post Office, and Jefferson Junior High School. Public open space within the Town Centre area consists of Hawthorne Hill Woods, Memorial Park, Lake Carleton, Lake Harriet and 44 acres of open space jointly owned by the Village and Park District.

The Town Centre Master Plan project will identify land use alternatives and develop conceptual site plans for the Town Centre area. The intent of the Plan is to provide both the Village and Park District with a community supported concept that further strengthens the Town Centre as a community focal point.

According to Michael Mays, Community Development Director for the Village of Woodridge, “The Plan will not be successful without the participation of residents, property owners, and other community stakeholders. Their input and ideas are important and the Village and the Park District are interested in their vision for Town Centre.”

2013 Community Workshop
The first opportunity for the community to get involved will be a Community Workshop to be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Woodridge Park District Community Center, located at 2600 Center Drive, Woodridge.

The workshop will review the purpose of the Town Centre Master Plan, the planning process to be undertaken, the schedule for the study, and establish and refine the community’s vision and goals for the Town Centre. Click here to view workshop flyer.

The workshop will be an interactive experience designed to review, discuss, and identify conditions and potentials within the Town Centre. The results and feedback from the workshop, along with other community outreach activities, will be used to identify community priorities and objectives, and will serve as the foundation for the Town Centre Master Plan’s direction.

Village of Woodridge and Woodridge Park District Release RFP for a Town Centre Master Plan

March 14, 2012 – The Village of Woodridge and Woodridge Park District have released a Request for Proposals seeking submittals from professional planning consultants for the preparation of a Town Centre Master Plan that identifies community needs and an implementation plan that contemplates land uses, project phasing and financing for the Town Centre Area of the Village of Woodridge. The Town Centre Area is located near Woodridge and Center Drives where the Village Hall, Woodridge Library, Village Police/Public Works facility, Park District Community Center, U.S. Post Office, Jefferson Junior High School, Hawthorne Hill Woods Park, Memorial Park, Lake Carleton, Lake Harriet and 44 acres of open space jointly owned by the Village and Park District are located.

The consultant will work under the direction of the Village and Park District staff and will be responsible for coordinating the public input process, including public open houses, key person interviews and steering committee meetings. The public input gathered will be used to by the consultant to establish a community preferred land use plan for the Town Centre Area to be incorporated in the Town Centre Master Plan document. The Plan will become a policy tool that provides direction for all aspects of the Town Centre’s physical environment and a guide for infrastructure and other public investment needs.

The Village and Park District will periodically post new and updated information concerning this planning initiative on their respective websites.