Current Capital Improvement Projects

Longfellow Park Renovation Project

After several months of renovation, Longfellow Park was re-opened on Saturday, May 30, 2009, with a grand celebration. Festivities included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, light refreshments, and entertainment by Oak Park's own Chris Fascione. Over 400 residents joined in the celebration and explored the new park features.

A site master plan was developed for Longfellow Park in fall 2006 and winter 2007 outlining future park improvements. (Site Plan development information) Beginning in August 2008, as part of the site plan implementation, Longfellow Park underwent major renovation to improve and expand recreation facilities at the park. An art and music-themed accessible creative play area was constructed for ages 2 to 5 and an accessible creative play area was also installed for ages 5 to 12. These play areas feature a synthetic, resilient, slip-resistant surface for improved accessibility. Adjacent to the playground is a universally accessible water play area which includes the relocated seal spray feature and expanded recreational water play components. Unique elements in the creative play areas include drums, bells and a sign language panel to stimulate the senses and fuel the imaginations of all users.

The sunken area north of Longfellow Center was elevated to bring it back to grade making this area fully accessible. A new full-court basketball court was constructed in this area along with spectator seating, an entry plaza, landscaping and a drinking fountain. An elevator and lobby area is a welcomed addition on the north end of the Recreation Center and the restrooms on the east side of the building are now ADA accessible.

A hard-surface interior pathway system was added to allow park patrons to traverse the park from north to south. At the south end of the park, the ballfield/soccer field area was redeveloped and a brick plaza with seating and bike racks was added in the southeast corner.

A significant percentage of this project was funded through grant funds. The Park District received a $235,000 grant from the Good Heart Work Smart Foundation of which $200,000 was used towards the installation cost of the Longfellow Center elevator and lobby area and the balance was used to plan more accessible features for the playground areas. The Park District, in partnership with the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation, secured a $220,000 Access to Recreation grant sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Over $100,000 of these grant monies were used for the Longfellow Park Renovation Project. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was nationally recognized with the Critical Impact Award for it's Access to Recreation initiative.

The Park District was notified on April 25, 2008 that an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space and Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) matching grant in the amount of $400,000 had been awarded for this park renovation project. The Park District was eligible for this grant program due to the successful passing of the “Renew Our Parks” referendum by Oak Park voters in April 2005. The local matching amount of $400,000.00 was funded out of the Park District of Oak Parks Capital Improvement Fund.

A Longfellow Park Pre-Construction Information Meeting was held on April 22, 2008 at 7pm at the Hedges Administrative Center, 218 Madison, Oak Park. At this meeting project details and the expected construction timeline were reviewed.

Handout 1 - Longfellow Park Master Plan

Handout 2 - Longfellow Park Creative Play Area

Longfellow Center Elevator Drawings