The Park District of La Grange has released a site plan for the redevelopment of Gordon Park, as seen above, including the replacement of the two western softball fields with several new features.
Most prominently, the western half of the park would gain a dedicated football/soccer field, a new shelter and a play complex with a playground, splash pad, butterfly area, skateboarding area and performance area. To create the space, two western softball fields, the two outdoor basketball courts and two of the park's northwest tennis courts would be sacrifced.
Much of the current softball-field lighting would remain. To the east side of the park, the plan would also add 28 parking spaces along Hazel Avenue.
Long in development and bargaining, the plan is currently on hold while property issues between the Park District and the Village are worked out. Construction must be finished by the end of 2013 to hang on to a $400,000 grant.
Readers can also view a colorized picture of the schematic at the Doings La Grange website.
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It seems to me that the Park District threw together a plan to avoid losing a grant with very little thought as to what the residents of LaGrange and users of Gordon Park really need. They sat on the potential funds for years after the Atlantic Realty Project was cancelled and now want to ram something through.