Infrastructure Project – 2025-2026
The Oak Lawn Park District will be undertaking an infrastructure project aimed to update and maintain current facilities. This project includes a major renovation at the Oak Lawn Ice Arena, the replacement of numerous parking lots and roofs, along with updating portions of the interior at the Community Pavilion and the Racquet, Fitness & Gymnastics Center. The majority of the projects will be completed by the fall of 2025, with the exception of the Racquet, Fitness & Gymnastics Center, which is targeted for 2026.
We understand this will interrupt programming schedules and traffic flow. We apologize for any inconveniences this will cause and appreciate your patience as we complete the work. These improvements are necessary to improve safety and accessibility, while extending the life of facilities, so we can provide high-quality services to the community for years to come.
Parking Lots
The following facilities are scheduled for parking lot replacements are with tentative start dates for construction. As we get closer to the start dates, we will provide information on how to best enter and exit parking lots during construction.
- Stony Creek Golf Course Phase I – started April 28
- North part of the parking lot, nearest the Simulator Building
- Currently, no disruption of access to Stony Creek Golf Course Pro Shop
- Administrative Building/Central Pool/Ice Arena Phase I – started April 28
- South part of parking lot
- Estimated completion: End of May
- Centennial Aquatic Center – started April 28
- All of Cul-De-Sac closed north of apartments
- Access to pool, gazebo, and park amenities via Community Pavilion parking lot and asphalt pathways.
- Estimated completion: End of May
- David Johnston Center – tentatively fall, 2025
- Community Pavilion – tentatively starting mid-August, 2025
- Ice Arena (north portion of parking lot) – tentatively starting fall, 2025
Oak Lawn Ice Arena
The Oak Lawn Ice Arena has been closed since late March to undergo a major renovation. Improvements to the facility include a new ice surface, with new dasherboards, and netting. During this time, facility rentals, including birthday parties and private ice time, will be unavailable. The facility will re-open to the public in the fall. Other improvements to the facility include:
- Renovation of two locker rooms with new accessible shower, toilet, and sink
- Renovation of one group locker room, with new accessible shower, toilet, and sink
- Replacement of rink refrigeration system, including:
- New ammonia compressors
- Brine pumps
- Control system
- Safety shower
- Leak detection system
- Snow melt pit
- Evaporative condenser, pump, and storage tank
- Variable frequency drives
- Replacement of existing sand floor, including both cool and warm floor below with new concrete floor system (underneath the ice surface)
- Replacement of existing sanitary main in the arena area
- Replacement of electric feeders to the refrigeration system
Community Pavilion & Racquet, Fitness & Gymnastics Center
Other portions of this project are focused on updating and maintaining our current facilities.
- Community Pavilion: work will tentatively begin in August of this year and will focus on updating the locker rooms on the first floor, second floor bathrooms, new flooring to the weight room and multi-purpose rooms on the second floor, and installing a new chiller.
- Racquet, Fitness & Gymnastics Center: This project is scheduled for 2026 and includes a mechanical unit replacement, roof replacement and coating, along with a new front desk and lobby finishes.
Other Current Projects:
Memorial Activity Center Renovation
The Oak Lawn Park District has been working to convert the bath house at Memorial Park (102nd & Major Ave.) to a multi-generational recreation center. The project includes converting smaller rooms, such as locker rooms, shower facilities, and storage areas, into larger multipurpose rooms and new restrooms. The entry vestibule will be changed to a lobby and reception area.
This project was made possible thanks to the $2.1 million grant the Oak Lawn Park District was awarded earlier this year from the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act, or PARC, grant program. Construction will continue through the winter, with the facility set to this summer. The splash pad will open around Memorial Day weekend, depending on any delays.
The PARC grant program, which is part of Governor Pritzker s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital improvement program funded a total of $28 million in projects to local governments. These projects are to further public recreational opportunities throughout their communities whether that is renovating existing buildings or constructing a new community center. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) administers the program.
Oak Meadows Park Renovation
Renovations are near completion at Oak Meadows Park (99th & 51st Ave.)! The Oak Lawn Park District was awarded a $600,000 matching grant as part of the Open Space Land Acquisition & Development Grant (OSLAD) to help fund this project. Improvements at Oak Meadows Park includes updating the current asphalt trails, softball field, playground, basketball court, and water fountain. Additionally, the following amenities will be added:
- Soccer Field
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Bird Habitat
- Shelter with lights and picnic tables
- Benches
- ADA game tables
- Bike racks
Oak Lawn Park District held two Community Input Meetings and incorporated feedback from those meetings into the design. Additionally, the proposed path that loops around the park fills a need that is consistently ranked high by residents as a result of our Community Needs Survey.
We hope to open this park up for play in June of this year.
Wolfe Wildlife Renovation
The Oak Lawn Park District is excited to announce that Phase I of the Wolfe Wildlife Rejuvenation Project is currently underway. The first phase of the project is partially funded thanks to a successful Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant worth $600,000. The project includes six new pickleball courts, exercise equipment, game tables, along with path and light pole replacements.
Wolfe Wildlife Refuge, located at 109th & Laramie Ave., is a 45-acre natural wetland area that is home to over 100 species of birds, along with frogs, turtles, ducks, raccoons, foxes, and butterflies. There is a full playground, walking path, splash pad, and is home to the annual Howl-O-Ween event in October. The portion of the rejuvenation project that begins this year includes the following:
- Bridge Decking Replacement
- Six (6) New Pickleball Courts
- Game Tables
- Split Rail Fence Replacement
- Exercise Equipment Installation
- Overlook Replacement
- Trail Sitting Location
- Nature Restoration
- Select Path & Light Pole Replacement
Work will begin on Phase II of the project starting next summer. Phase II work includes replacing the remaining path and light poles. This part of the project is being funded thanks to another successful grant application from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) as part of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) worth $1.67 million.
For more information, contact Oak Lawn Park District:
Ryan Gory, CPRP, CPSI
Superintendent of Parks & Planning
Oak Lawn Park District
5501 W. 110th Street, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
708-857-2201
RGory@olparks.com
