Shaping the Future of Oak Park Parks

Rehm Park & Oak Park Conservatory Site Master Plan Development
Currently work has been completed on the development of a site master plan for Rehm Park and the Oak Park Conservatory. The overall objective of a site plan is to provide “a framework or blueprint for future park renewal.”

Focus groups were held in mid-July to collect information on safety and security, buildings and grounds, passive space, sports and creative play. A focus group was also held with Park District staff and members of the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON). (focus group notes)

The first community meeting to gather public input regarding the current and future use of Rehm Park and the exterior of the Oak Park Conservatory was held on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 7pm at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield Street. (meeting notes) The following were distributed at the meeting:

Rehm Park Inventory & Site Analysis

Oak Park Conservatory Inventory & Site Analysis

A questionnaire was available at this website through August 11, 2008 to collect additional input regarding the site plan development. (questionnaire results)

The second community meeting to present draft concepts and collect additional public input was held on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 7pm at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield Street. (meeting notes) At this meeting four site plan concepts were presented for Rehm Park and the Conservatory. (see below) A questionnaire was available through September 10, 2008 to collect input regarding these concepts. (questionnaire results)

The third community meeting to present revised concepts was held Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 7pm at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield Street. Two concepts for Rehm Park were presented as well as two concepts for the exterior of the Oak Park Conservatory.

Rehm Park Concepts A & B

Oak Park Conservatory Concepts A & B

A third questionnaire was available through Friday, October 3, 2008 to collect feedback regarding the concepts presented at the third community meeting. (questionnaire results)

The fourth and final community meeting was held to present draft recommendations for the Rehm Park Site Plan and the Oak Park Conservatory Site Plan on Tuesday, October 7, 2008. (meeting notes)

Rehm Park Draft Recommendation

Oak Park Conservatory Draft Recommendation

Rehm Park Tree Preservation Plan

Next Steps

The Park Board of Commissioners discussed the draft concept recommendations at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on Thursday, November 6, 2008 at the Oak Park Conservatory. Three dimensional images of the front of the Conservatory were presented.

3D Concept of Main Entrance

3D Concept of Historical Entrance

3D Concept of Conservatory from Garfield

At the Regular Park Board Meeting on November 13, 2008 the proposed Oak Park Conservatory Site Plan was reviewed and accepted. The Park Board also reviewed and discussed the revised Rehm Park Site Plan which was further discussed at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at the Oak Park Conservatory. The Park Board accepted the Rehm Park Site Plan at the Regular Park Board Meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2008.

Oak Park Conservatory Site Plan (accepted 11.13.08)

Rehm Park Site Plan (accepted 12.18.08)

The Park District of Oak Park values public input and feedback. To provide input or for further information, please contact Diane Stanke at (708) 725-2022 or dianes@oakparkparks.com.

Rehm Park and the Oak Park Conservatory Site Master Plan Schedule

Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 7 pm, Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield Street
Community Meeting to collect public input.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 7pm, Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield Street
Community Meeting to present draft concepts and collect additional public input.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 7 pm, Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield Street
Community Meeting to present draft recommendations or revised concepts.

Thursday, October 7, 2008, 7 pm, Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield Street
Community Meeting (if necessary) to present draft recommendations.

Thursday, November 6, 2008, 7:30pm, Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield
Park Board Committee of the Whole Meeting to discuss site plan recommendations.

Thursday, November 13, 2008, 7:30pm, Administrative Center, 218 Madison
Park Board Meeting to consider acceptance of plans.

Thursday, December 4, 2008, 7:30pm, Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield
Park Board Committee of the Whole Meeting to discuss Rehm Park site plan recommendation.

Thursday, December 18, 2008, 7:30pm, Administrative Center, 218 Madison
Park Board Meeting to consider acceptance of Rehm Park plan.