On Monday, March 20, 2023, the Oak Brook Park District began Phase II construction at the Central Park North Athletic Fields site. Among the attendees were Park District Board of Commissioners Lara Suleiman, Frank Trombetta, Ivana Ivkovic Kelley, President Sharon Knitter, Executive Director at the Oak Brook Park District, Laure Kosey, Deputy Director, Dave Thommes, and Director of Parks and Planning, Bob Johnson. Also in attendance were Oak Brook Village Manager, Greg Summers, Representative for Senator Glowiak Hilton, Michael Bailey, Igor Bakovic, Noonie Aguilar, and Beth Marchetti from the DuPage County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
In 2022, the Park District was granted $480,000 from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and $400,000 from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD). Phase II proposes improvements along Ginger Creek that will create better access for fishing, a restroom and concession facility adjacent to an amphitheater, accessible walkways, and seating areas, a plaza with games tables, and an accessible fitness challenge course.
The vision for this property began in 2018 with the help of the Oak Brook community. Voters approved a referendum that allowed the Park District to issue $17.9 million in bonds to purchase and improve the property at the November 6, 2018 election. In July 2020, the Oak Brook Park District began Phase I construction at the Central Park North Athletic Fields site. Phase I, funded in part by an Open Space and Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant, included two full-size illuminated soccer fields, fitness equipment, a bags game court, looped walking trails, a totem plaza, basketball courts, and two picnic shelters. The park opened for use in the Spring of 2021. The Phase II improvements are expected to be complete by the end of 2023.
Executive Director, Laure Kosey, said, “It has been wonderful to see the community enjoy the new amenities completed during Phase I of the project at the Central Park North Athletic Fields. We could not be more excited for the new additions that come with Phase II of the project.”