Shaping the Future of Oak Park Parks - Ridgeland Common

Project Description
In December 2007, the Park District began the development of a facility and site plan for Ridgeland Common, our flagship recreation facility. This project (project schedule) is expected to take approximately 6 months to complete and will include several community meetings as well as focus groups to collect input from our residents and user groups.

First Community Meeting
The first Ridgeland Common Plan Community Meeting was held on Monday, December 3, 2007 in the Comstock Room at Ridgeland Common, 415 Lake Street at Ridgeland Avenue. (Handout #1, Handout #2) (Community Meeting #1 Notes) For those who could not attend or for those who wanted to provide additional input regarding this plan, the Ridgeland Common Plan Questionnaire was available through Tuesday, January 15, 2008. (Questionnaire Results)

Focus Group Meetings
On Tuesday, December 4, 2007, four focus groups were held to collect additional input on the ice rink, aquatics, and the Comstock Room/outdoor fields. A focus group was also held with Park District staff.

• Ice Rink Focus Group Notes
• Aquatics Focus Group Notes
• Comstock Room/Outdoor Fields Focus Group Notes
• Park District Staff Focus Group Notes
• Fine Arts Focus Group

Through these focus groups and through additional meetings with organizations who did not attend the focus groups, numerous community organizations and governmental entities have been invited to provide input into the Ridgeland Common facility and site planning process.

Second Community Meeting
As part of the Ridgeland Common Master Planning project, the Park District held a second community meeting (view meeting video) on February 25, 2008 at Beye School. The meeting provided citizens:

• an update on the project progress (to view the PowerPoint presentation click here)
• a brief overview of the draft market analysis, and
• a comparison of examples of three long-term space use options for Ridgeland Common

A display of bubble diagrams (described as test fit evaluations) were available at the meeting for public viewing and comment. These diagrams are being used to see how various amenities can fit on the site. They are not proposed conceptual drawings which are part of the next project phase. The bubble diagrams of the three long-term space use options included (click links for diagrams):

• Existing Plan - Repairing and replacing the existing facility
• Expanded Plan - Replacing the existing facility with new spaces for new programs
• Visionary Plan - Replacing the existing facility and adding additional acres through a successful partner agency collaboration

The meeting also featured a display of examples of program space amenities under consideration.

A comment form was available regarding the information presented at the 2nd Community Meeting through March 17, 2008 (comment form results).

Third Community Meeting
A third community meeting for the Ridgeland Common Facility & Site Plan was held on Saturday, April 12, 2008, at 9:30am at Beye School (meeting notes). The meeting featured a power point presentation introducing 6 draft conceptual plans including:

Community Meeting Video Availability
You can view a video of the 3rd Ridgeland Common Community meeting by clicking here. Also, the video will be broadcast on Community Cable Access Channel 6 on Fridays at 10am and on Saturdays at 6pm beginning May 9 through the end of May.

A questionnaire was available at this website through May 5, 2008 regarding the alternative conceptual plans presented at the 3rd Community Meeting (questionnaire results).

Complete Meeting 4 Video 116 minutes

Fourth Community Meeting
A fourth and final community meeting was held on Saturday, June 7, 2008, at 9:30am at Beye School for the Ridgeland Common Facility & Site Plan. Final concept designs under consideration for the existing, expanding and visionary plans were presented in a PowerPoint Presentation along with the associated capital and operating costs and a tree preservation plan. The following is the information presented at this meeting:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• 3 Concept Recommendations
• Projected Cost Estimates
• Tree Preservation Plan

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

Next Steps
The Park Board of Commissioners will discuss both options for the Ridgeland Common Site Plan at the Committee of the Whole Meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 10, 2008 at the Oak Park Conservatory (location subject to change, check website) at 7:30pm. (No public comment is accepted at this meeting.) The Park Board is tentatively scheduled to accept one of the three Site Plan concepts at the Regular Park Board Meeting on July 17, 2008 at the Hedges Administrative Center (location subject to change, check website), 218 Madison at 7:30pm. (Public comment is welcome at this meeting.)

Please see the complete Ridgeland Common Site Plan schedule below and mark your calendar for future meeting dates.

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.

Ridgeland Common Site Master Plan Schedule
Monday, December 3, 2007, 7:00pm, Ridgeland Common Comstock Room, 415 W. Lake Street
1st Community Meeting to review the planning process and collect initial community input

Monday, February 25, 2008, 7:00pm, Beye School Auditorium, 230 N. Cuyler
2nd Community Meeting to present the market analysis and 3 long-term space programs

Saturday, April 12, 2008, 9:30am, Beye School Auditorium, 230 N. Cuyler
3rd Community Meeting to present draft conceptual plans

Monday, April 28, 2008, 7:30pm, Stevenson Center, 49 Lake Street
Park Board & Park District Citizen Committee Joint Meeting to discuss Ridgeland Common Facility & Site Master Plan

Saturday, June 7, 2008, 9:30am, Beye School Auditorium, 230 N. Cuyler
4th Community Meeting to present final concept designs under consideration for the existing, expanding and visionary plans along with the associated capital and operating costs.

Ridgeland Common Master Plan
Project Details

A recent existing conditions study concluded the current Ridgeland Common facility is physically and functionally obsolete requiring extensive renovation within the next five years. Bonestroo Sports, in cooperation with local architects from Nagle Hartray Dankar Kagan McKay Penney Architects, Ltd., have been contracted to develop the Ridgeland Common Plan which will include the following phases:

Phase 1: Project initiation includes a community kick-off meeting, focus groups, a market analysis, an analysis of asset partnerships and affiliates, and identification of potential activities.

Phase 2: Develop 3 long-term space programs including 1) a plan to replace or repair the existing facility, 2) a plan to replace the existing facility and add new programming spaces and 3) a plan to replace the existing facility with new programming spaces made possible with successful partner agency.

Phase 3: Prepare five alternative conceptual site plans illustrating a wide range of design possibilities while reflecting the space programs developed in phase 2.

Phase 4: Prepare estimated construction costs, a construction timetable and phasing opportunities for construction. A Capital Cost Financing Plan will also be developed to identify possible sources of funds.

Phase 5: Prepare a financial plan with estimated maintenance and operating costs, a pricing strategy and recovery cost model and pro forma statements.

Phase 6: Prepare a final report to be tentatively completed by July 1, 2008.