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

JUBILEE POINT PARK PLANNING UPDATE
& PROPOSED PHASE 2 DEVELOPMENT

Jubilee Point Park (formerly known as Town Centre) is located at 7101 Woodridge Drive, Woodridge, IL 60517

For Project questions or comments please Click Here.

View Natural Area Improvement Work at Jubilee Point Park FAQs

View 2024 Jubilee Point Park Natural Area Improvement Plan

View Peer Review Support Letters

View Design Development Layout Plans ( 50% Complete)

View August 30, 2022 Community Open House Presentation Slides

View Updated 2022 Schematic Design Master Plan
View 2022 Schematic Design Master Plan – Phase 2 Development (OSLAD/DCEO Grant Funded)
Schematic Design Master Plan – Design Features Summary
View 2018 Town Centre Tree Inventory Report
View 2018 Town Centre Wetland Assessment Report
View 2014 Town Centre Master Plan
View 2013 Town Centre Vegetative Analysis

BOARD TO REVIEW JUBILEE POINT PARK UPDATED phase 2 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PLANS, design IMPROVEMENT OPTION considerations, schedule & COST ESTIMATES

March 15, 2024 – Hitchcock Design Group (HDG) and Park District Staff will present updated Jubilee Point Park Phase 2 design development plans, design option considerations, associated cost estimates, budget considerations and tentative schedule. The Board of Commissioners will review, provide feedback and direction in order to bring the design development phase to 100% completion, so that the next planning phase can commence to finalize permit drawings and construction documents. The updated plans and information will be presented at a Special Board Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Hohnke Community Center, 2600 Center Drive, Woodridge, IL 60517.

TREEs Forever GRANT APPROVED for jubilee point park tree plantings

March 7, 2024 – In the District’s ongoing efforts to seek alternative funds to offset Jubilee Point Park costs for environmental best management practice initiatives and proposed Phase 2 park development plans, the District is pleased to announce “Trees Forever” awarded a $3,000 tree planting grant per the Illinois Recover, Replant & Restore program.  To date, a total of $880,000 in grant funds has been secured and earmarked to improve Jubilee Point Park.

Jubilee Point Park – Natural Areas Improvement Work Detailing Winter/Spring Implementation Plan  

March 1, 2024 – The initial phase of the restoration work being done by a contractor, Davey Tree Expert Co., involves removing the non-native brush at the site. This will open up the site significantly to allow District staff to evaluate the remaining trees. The contractor’s scope of work does not include removing dead, hazardous or fallen trees.

Once the contracted invasive removal work is completed in an area, the Park District’s trained staff will follow by removing dead trees that had previously fallen to create a cleaner and more viable medium for natural area seed to establish. In addition, all standing dead trees will each be evaluated by staff’s International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist prior to their removal to determine if they could pose a hazard to park users. Dead-standing trees that are unlikely to impact park users may be left to provide habitat for wildlife.

Tree removals will cease on March 31st to ensure that this habitat used by wildlife is not disturbed during the growing and nesting seasons. Clean-up of fallen trees and other large debris will continue on the site for the first half of April. From the middle to the end of April, District staff will begin preparing the site for seeding. This will entail removing smaller debris, such as branches and leaves, from the soil surface so that the seed can have direct contact with the soil for germination. The seed mix will include a variety of native flowers and grasses along with a cover crop. This newly planted native landscape will take three to five years to fully establish on-site. The cover crop will germinate quickly and help stabilize the soil and reduce erosion. The District will also begin planting new native trees on the site. The replanting of trees will occur as phases over multiple years, so that District staff can properly care for these new trees and support their successful growth.

In order to maintain the increased biodiversity that this natural area improvement work initiates with this project, District staff will conduct regular maintenance activities as described in the Natural Resource Management Plan and the site-specific Jubilee Point Natural Area Improvement Plan. Some of the maintenance activities will include control of non-native and invasive brush and tree species, control of non-native herbaceous species, prescribed fire, tree condition inspections and floristic quality assessments. These maintenance and monitoring activities will ensure this natural area continues to improve creating a better habitat for wildlife and more interest for park users.

JUBILEE POINT PARK DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATES PRESENTED TO PARK BOARD         

February 16, 2024 – Updates to the Jubilee Point Park design development (“DD”) plans and preliminary timeline will be presented to the Board of Commissioners at the February 20, 2024 Regular Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Refinements to the DD plans include but are not limited to consideration of adding looped pathways per the Schematic Design Master Plan, refinements to the picnic grove area & amenities, and reduction and relocation of proposed parking to further minimize impacts within wetland buffer zones. The DD phase is a dynamic process requiring continued refinements pending further civil engineering assessment, design refinements, material selections, cost estimates, and value engineering.

PEER REVIEW SUPPORTS DISTRICT’S PROPOSED JUBILEE POINT PARK NATURAL AREA IMPROVEMENT PLAN & PROPOSED BOARD ACTIONS

Updated February 13, 2024 (January 16, 2024) – In advance of the Board of Commissioners consideration to accept the proposed Jubilee Point Park Natural Area Improvement Plan (“Plan”), the District received letters of support of the Plan subsequent to peer review by The Conservation Foundation, Great Lakes Urban Forestry Management, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Morton Arboretum.

The Conservation Foundation President /CEO Brook McDonald stated, “While the initial non-native tree and shrub removal may result in a very dramatic visual change, the plan to reintroduce native plants and trees will support a more diverse, dynamic, healthy and balanced natural area.”

Stephen Lane, Certified Arborist with Great Lakes Urban Forestry Management stated, “I fully support this project as it is currently planned and believe it will provide ecological enhancement to the area, which will attract beneficial wildlife and birds, and also be a sanctuary for people to learn about and enjoy nature.”

Christopher Evans, Extension Forestry and Research Specialist with University of Illinois, Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences stated, “I support efforts to implement management activities that restore natural ecosystems, promote native species, and reduce the abundance of invasive species on the landscape.”

Stephanie Adams, Ph.D., ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, plant pathologist, and plant health care leader at The Morton Arboretum stated, “While the initial stages of the project will appear startling, the future the area will be a highly valuable and a regularly utilized natural area enjoyed by the community. Developing greenspaces contributes to the health and well-being of community members and it supports native flora and fauna, and biodiversity.”

The Board of Commissioners will consider: 1) acceptance of the Plan and 2) acceptance of the low qualified bidder & contract approval of the Town Centre Park – Woody Invasive Species Removal Project, MSP #23-22c (to be released pending receipt of the Village of Woodridge’s Letter of Permission for Vegetative Maintenance Permit) at tonight’s Regular Board Meeting, January 16, 2024 @ 6:30 p.m.

Invasive removal work has begun & another peer review support letter from Morton Arboretum’s Arborist

February 8, 2024 – Invasive removal work conducted by Davey Tree Expert Company has begun at Jubilee Point Park this week. Another peer review letter of support for Jubilee Point Park’s Natural Area Improvement Plan was received from Morton Arboretum’s ISA Board Certified Master Arborist.

JUBILEE POINT PARK (TOWN CENTRE) – WOODY INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL PROJECT

January 25, 2024 – Subsequent to Board approval of a contract with Davey Tree Expert Company at the January 16, 2024 Board meeting, the contractor under the supervision of ISA® Certified Arborists will begin on February 5^th removing woody stemmed invasive brush throughout the natural areas on the Jubilee Point Park property. The non-native woody invasive plants scheduled to be removed include species such as buckthorn, bush honeysuckle, white mulberry, and multiflora rose. These aggressive, non-native species crowd out more desirable native plant species.

The removal process calls for the material to be manually cut with chainsaws and brush cutters; chipped; and disposed of off-site. This method of removal will limit the risk of erosion by leaving stumps and root systems in place resulting in an ideal substrate for successful seeding applications and native plantings. All cut material will be chemically treated to inhibit regrowth. The work will run through February, likely ending in early March.

Removing non-native woody invasive plants will be the first step in a phased approach to develop healthy, biodiverse natural areas at this park site as defined in the Jubilee Point Park – Natural Area Improvement Plan. Completing this work across the full property will minimize seed dispersion of any remaining aggressive invasive plants resulting in the most effective way to begin the establishment of more diverse landscapes in the natural areas at this site. Following the contracted removals hazardous trees will be assessed and removed as necessary for public safety. Native seeding will be applied in areas left exposed by the contracted removal, and native trees and shrubs will be incorporated to enhance the biodiversity of the natural areas.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ILLINOIS PARK DISTRICT HABITAT IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPROVED FOR JUBILEE POINT PARK 

January 4, 2024 – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recently notified the Woodridge Park District that the application for an Illinois Park District Habitat Improvement Grant for $2,000 was approved. The program provides grants to park districts to purchase native plant material and to partner with students (grades prekindergarten through 12 in Illinois) or with a local youth group to develop pollinator gardens and/or native tree habitats.

The District plans to engage the Community in Spring 2024 by partnering with local students from Woodridge School District #68 and/or Woodridge youth groups to install native tree & shrub plantings at Jubilee Point Park to improve the biodiversity of the natural management areas by providing improved flora habitat and food sources for native wildlife in accordance with the goals recommended in the proposed Jubilee Point Park Natural Area Improvement Plan.

This grant combined with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) $225,000 grant to be used for infrastructure improvements and approved Illinois Department of Natural Resources $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant, will further reduce the District’s local funding towards this community park and natural areas improvement project.

BOARD REVIEWS JUBLIEE POINT PARK ‘DRAFT’ NATURAL AREA IMPROVEMENT PLAN, PARK IMPROVEMENT DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PLANS at 50% COMPLETION & NEW $225,000 DCEO GRANT Announcement

December 20, 2023 – Subsequent to presentation of the proposed ‘Draft’ of the Jubilee Point Park Natural Area Improvement Plan by staff to the Board of Commissioners at the December 19, 2023 Regular Board Meeting, the Board directed staff to proceed in finalizing details of the “Plan” and to make available for public review. The final “Plan” shall also be submitted to expert arborists, ecologists, and/or conservationists from respective institutions (e.g. Conservation Foundation, Morton Arboretum, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana Natural Resources Forestry Extension, Graf Tree Care, etc.) for peer review, feedback and concurrence of recommended best management practices prior to final Board consideration to accept at the January 16, 2024 Regular Board Meeting.

Planning & Development staff also presented for Board review the Design Development Plans currently at 50% completion which further updates and refines the design of the proposed picnic grove area with ancillary park amenities and community garden plots.

Staff also notified the Board of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) recent notification of a $225,000 grant to be used for infrastructure improvements associated with the Jubilee Point Park Phase 2 Development and Natural Area Improvements projects. Staff is in the process of submitting required application documents. These new grant funds combined with the approved Illinois Department of Natural Resources $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant, will further reduce the District’s local funding towards this community park and natural areas improvement project.

JUBILEE POINT PARK – GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION WORK SCHEDULED TO BEGIN

December 20, 2023 – During the first week of January 2024, the District’s geotechnical contractor, Soils & Materials Consultants, Inc., will be conducting soil borings in 29 locations across the Jubilee Point Park (Town Centre) property to collect soils information to support engineering and design services related to the proposed Phase II site development and future phases of site planning. The contractor anticipates completing field work in approximately 2-3 days.

BOARD TO REVIEW JUBLIEE POINT PARK ‘DRAFT’ NATURAL AREA IMPROVEMENT PLAN & APPROVE WOODLAnd INVASIVE SPECIES BID/CONTRACT

December 15, 2023 – The District’s Park, Planning & Development staff and Natural Resource Manager are scheduled to present highlights of the proposed ‘Draft’ Jubilee Point Park Natural Area Improvement Plan (“Plan”) to the Board of Commissioners at the December 19, 2023 Regular Board Meeting. The primary goal of the Plan is to recommend best management practices and improvements to transition the park site’s unmanaged natural areas, predominantly vegetated with invasive species, to managed native natural areas consisting of open woodlands, prairie/grasslands and wetlands. Trees targeted for removal within the proposed park development area will be considered for replacement in accordance with the Village of Woodridge’s Tree Preservation Code based on best management practices. The Plan’s outcome will improve the overall ecology of the park property that complements the Community’s desire for community park improvements approved in the 2014 Town Centre Master Plan and updated 2022 Schematic Design Master Plan. Subsequent to Board review, the Plan will be reviewed by expert conservationists and ecologists for final feedback; and presented for Board final review and acceptance at the January 16, 2024 Regular Board Meeting.

Additionally, the Board will consider at the January 16, 2024 Board Meeting acceptance of the low qualified bidder and contract approval for the Jubilee Point Park – Woody Invasive Species Removal Project, MSP #23-22c. The proposed project will remove invasive and hazardous vegetation this winter by manual cutting with chainsaws/brush cutters, chip & remove material from site and/or complete Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) & Village permitted prescribed burn piles on site. The Project goal is to remove 100% of the non-native invasive woody species from the project sites. The target species shall include buckthorns (Rhamnus spp.), non-native honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.), White Mulberry (Morus alba), Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus),and Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora). Willows (Salix spp.) under three inches in diameter shall also be removed. Other non-native and/or invasive species may be removed as approved by the Park District Natural Resource Manager.

Jubilee point park natural resource management plan proposed

November 30, 2023 – At the November 21, 2023 Regular Board Meeting, following review by Hitchcock Design Group of the design development plans currently at 30% completion, the Park District’s Natural Resource Manager presented to the Board of Commissioners an overview of the contents of a draft of a Jubilee Point Park Natural Area Improvement Plan to consider for Jubilee Point Park. Contents of the proposed site-specific plan supported by local ecologists, arborists and conservationists will supplement the District’s existing Comprehensive Natural Resource Management Plan adopted in 2017 to advise Woodridge residents on best management practices to improve overall flora and fauna habitat of the District’s natural areas which includes, prairies, ponds, woodlands, streams and wetlands.

Due to the extent of the previously unmanaged natural areas (farmland to invasive secondary succession growth) within Jubilee Point Park, staff recommends adopting a detailed site-specific plan to best guide management decisions to significantly improve the ecology of these designated natural areas within Jubilee Point Park that complements the phased park improvements approved in accordance with the original 2014 Town Centre Master Plan and most recently updated and approved 2022 Town Centre Schematic Design Master Plan.

The steps of the site-specific plan, which is supported by the Conservation Foundation and Graf Tree Care, Inc. shall address findings from the 2018 Town Centre Existing Trees Inventory Report, to include removal of invasive species, removal of hazardous trees, and planting of new native trees/shrubs/seed mixes to enhance the ecological value, increase biodiversity and perform best conservation management practices of these specific areas identified within the 44-acre property.

• Step 1 – Invasive removal work subject to approval of low qualified bidder for the Town Centre Park Woody Invasive Species Removal Project, MSP #23-22c at the 12/19/23 Board Meeting is expected to begin in early 2024 and be completed by spring 2024.
• Step 2 – Hazardous tree removal/dropping work is expected to begin in spring/summer of 2024 and completed by fall 2024.
• Step 3 – Planting of native trees, shrubs and seed mixes will be phased into the site with work in accordance with the Village of Woodridge’s Tree Preservation & Replacement Code and further improvements starting as early as spring 2024 and continuing for the next several years.

Prior to final adoption, the site-specific plan will be vetted and reviewed by local ecology/forestry/conservation experts from organizations that may include but are not limited to: the Conservation Foundation, Morton Arboretum, University of Illinois Extension Forestry Program Natural Resource Environmental Sciences Department, Illinois Forestry Association and Graf Tree Care, Inc. Staff will present the final site-specific plan along with design development updates to the Board of Commissioners at the December 19, 2023 Board Meeting.

November Board Meeting to Include Jubilee Point Park Design Update and Ecologist Overview of Tree Inventory Assessment and Draft of Natural Areas Habitat Management Plan

November 13, 2023 – Representatives from Hitchcock Design Group (Landscape Architecture Consultant) are scheduled to update the Board of Commissioners on the Jubilee Point Park Phase 2 design development plans currently at 30% completion at the November 21, 2023 Regular Board Meeting.

Also, representatives from the Conservation Foundation (natural areas assurance program consulting), an ecologist from Graf Tree Care, Inc. (tree care/urban forestry consultant) and Parks, Planning & Development Professional Staff will recap and comment on the “2018 Town Centre Existing Trees Inventory Report” and share recommended best management practices to be included in the proposed “Jubilee Point Park Natural Areas Management Plan.” These professionals will assist the District in assessing and finalizing a framework for a site-specific plan to enhance ecological value, increase biodiversity and perform ongoing conservation management of specific areas identified within the 44-acre property.

In keeping with extensive resident and stakeholder feedback obtained through multiple previous Town Centre community engagement forums, efforts continue towards finalizing a design development plan that will work in harmony with the Natural Areas Management Plan to create a balance of park, recreational and conservation spaces within Jubilee Point Park and the entire Town Centre area. The final design development plan will be consistent with the approved Town Centre Master Plan and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Open Space Land Acquisition & Development (OSLAD) grant guidelines.

PARK BOARD APPROVES “JUBILEE POINT PARK” NAME FOR THE 44 ACRE TOWN CENTRE PROPERTY

October 18, 2023 – Subsequent to an internal process to brainstorm park name suggestions for the 44-acre Town Centre property, the Board of Commissioners approved a resolution at the October 17, 2023 Regular Board Meeting officially naming the property Jubilee Point Park. The new park name: 1) reflects on the Property’s 40-year legacy and Community’s ongoing support of hosting the Woodridge Jubilee special event; 2) preserves the commonly used name of “Jubilee Site” by residents to reference the Property; 3) reflects the meaning of Jubilee that refers to a time of celebration or rejoicing, which further reflects on the achievement by the Village and District, in partnership with the Community, in securing the Property in perpetuity for open space and park use; and 4) incorporates “Point” as a geographical focal point within the Town Centre area and Woodridge community.

TOWN CENTRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY COMPLETED

October 18, 2023 – The University of Illinois completed a Phase 1 archaeological survey on the 44-acre Town Centre property. This survey is an Illinois Department of Natural Resources OSLAD grant requirement to be completed prior to any proposed park development. The final Archaeological Survey Short Report (ASSR) identified no structures and no archaeological resources within the project limits. Based on the surveyor’s total findings, they recommended a determination “No Historic Properties” for the project and for cultural resource clearance. The report will be filed with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Realty & Capital Planning.

PARK BOARD APPROVES TOWN CENTRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY

September 26, 2023 – The Board of Commissioners recently accepted a proposal and approved a contract agreement with the University of Illinois to complete a Phase 1 archaeological survey on the 44-acre Town Centre property. This survey is an Illinois Department of Natural Resources OSLAD grant requirement to be completed prior to any proposed park development. The survey proposed is in accordance with guidelines established by the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) regarding Phase 1 archaeological surveys. A surface reconnaissance of the proposed project area will be conducted to identify archaeological sites, if any, located within the boundaries of the proposed project area. An Archaeological Survey Short Report (ASSR) will be prepared outlining the findings of both the records and field research. The full scope of work to include researching of records and field survey work is scheduled to be completed within the next few weeks.

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

WOODRIDGE PARK DISTRICT COMPLETES TOWN CENTRE COMPREHENSIVE TREE INVENTORY REPORT

April 11, 2018 – Town Centre Comprehensive Tree Inventory Report completed by Graf Tree Care, Inc. (click here to access report). Scope of work included a stem-by-stem inventory of all trees 6” DBH and larger resulting in documentation of 1,960 trees. Report summary: Much of the Town Centre site is made up of lower lying mesic/floodplain areas where indigenous, but low-quality trees, have become widely established. The understory of the wooded area has become densely overgrown with invasive and nuisance species. Other less dominant biomes include a small streambed, a small number of previously delineated wetlands, and scattered pockets of higher and drier land that is far less overgrown. The report discusses the overall characteristics and condition of the woodland at Town Centre, as well other observations and recommendations for ecological restoration with consideration to the planned development at the site.

VILLAGE OF WOODRIDGE TRUSTEES APPROVE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN INCORPORATING THE TOWN CENTRE MASTER PLAN

August 15, 2014 – The Village of Woodridge Trustees held a public hearing regarding an amendment to the comprehensive plan for the Village of Woodridge incorporating the Town Centre Master Plan. Click here to view  Village Agenda Item – History/Commentary and Ordinance No. 2014-49.

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.

VILLAGE OF WOORIDGE PLAN COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

April 7, 2014 – The Village Plan Commission held a public hearing for the purpose of reviewing and soliciting public feedback regarding a proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Plan of the Village of Woodridge, incorporating the Town Centre Master Plan. Village Planning Staff with assistance by Houseal Lavigne Associates presented a recap of the Town Centre area and findings of fact pertaining to the extensive public input process to determine the future use of the Town Centre area and 44-Acre property. Public input was received and subsequent to Village staff recommendation to approve the amendment, the Village Plan Commission unanimously approved the motion to approve. Click here for minutes of the Plan Commission meeting of April 7, 2014.

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.

WOODRIDGE TOWN CENTRE VEGETATIVE ANALYSIS REPORT

August 9, 2013 – Gewalt Hemilton Associates, Inc. consulting engineers commissioned by Houseal Lavigne Associates completed the Woodridge Town Centre Vegetative Analysis Report to assist with planning efforts to finalize a conceptual master plan in conjunction with the Village’s and Park District’s community engagement planning efforts. The independent Senior Environmental Consultant conducted a vegetative survey that investigated and outlined dominant vegetation species groupings on the Town Centre 44-Acre property and Hawthorn Hill Woods.

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.