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Delays in improvements make Park West worth the wait

By Tina Ketter
Photos: Oregon Park District

Planning for improvements at Oregon Park District’s Park West in Illinois were many years in the making. Because of COVID-19, the timing of the completion was actually an asset, not only to residents, but to surrounding communities as well.

Improvements at the most-used district park were stalled in 2019 by grant paperwork and construction timelines. What was to begin in the spring was moved to fall and was not completed until summer 2020.

Oregon Park District Executive Director Erin Folk explains, “While improvements were delayed, it offered a unique opportunity for our community. COVID shut down the area in March 2020 and forced people to look for recreation opportunities outdoors. Park West, which is always a busy park, was filled with [residents]. The community was able to watch the transformation unfold.” 

Phase II of the improvements in 2019-20 included a new shelter, additional bathrooms, a Toro Court, a Sona Arch, batting cages, new sand-volleyball courts, handicap accessibility to the amphitheater, and an inclusive playground with a poured-in-place surface. 

“Accessibility is always at the forefront of planning,” Folk notes. “Many times in our parks you see users of all ages and abilities.  Removing play barriers and using a poured-in-place surface alongside connecting pathways allows these users to enjoy the amenities without restriction.”

With its most popular amenity being a splash pad, the new shelter and playground were designed to easily connect to it and other amenities, even for someone utilizing a wheelchair or a person pushing a stroller. 

A Swelling Soccer Program 

When new amenities and connectivity were offered on the north end, increased accessibility to the soccer complex was planned as well.

Soccer is the most popular recreation activity the park district offers. The program has expanded to include both spring and fall seasons, as well as use from the high school boys and girls teams for practice and games.

In spring 2017, the high school fielded its first girls soccer team, as a grassroots effort from parents and interested players proved successful.

“The Oregon Park District was thrilled with the addition of girls soccer,” Folk says. “The interest has always been there. Our program starts at 5 years old and attracts just as many girls as boys. It was always disheartening to see players have no options for high school after playing for the park district. The soccer organization and school district saw the need, and the program has seen much success.”

Also, in 2017, the park district received a donation in memory of Ken Kleveland to add home and away shelters to the soccer field. This supplied the momentum to improve the complex for both park district players and high school athletes. Planning finally took shape in 2020, with completion in 2021.

Throughout the discussions, the issue of connectivity always came to the forefront.

“The soccer fields are always a mess in the spring and wet. This became an issue for players, staff moving equipment to groom fields, accessibility to fill the concession stand, and, most importantly, parents and grandparents attending games,” Folk explains. “A 10-foot-wide path now connects the parking lot from the handicapped parking, along the north side of the tennis courts directly to the shelter, concessions, a new shade pavilion, and access to the bleachers.”

A 20-by-20 foot tent that served as a temporary shade structure, taken down between seasons, has been replaced by a permanent pavilion on a cement pad. Bleachers that were previously placed on grass now have a connecting sidewalk with a cement pad for permanent placement.

“We hope not only the Oregon community but the surrounding communities that play soccer will enjoy these new
amenities.”

Tina Ketter is the Superintendent of Recreation for the Oregon Park District in Illinois. Reach her at (815) 732-3101, or tina@oregonpark.org.