Sustaining the Legacy: 2025
After years of growth, the Board will now look inward, using the resources it has to efficiently and responsibly continue to grow the District into a strong and sustainable agency – laying the groundwork for a successful future full of possibilities beyond 2025!
The 2019/2020 community-wide survey helped identify how to allocate resources and funds and guide this long-range plan. However, the Board will still be faced with some tough decisions.
Long-term sustainability of the District and responsible use of taxpayers’ dollars will be the guiding principles when faced with these challenges. Some of the first projects the District will focus on include Clubhouse updates, playground replacements, and expanded programming.
Unfortunately, part of the plan’s goal of financial sustainability and responsible stewardship of tax dollars meant closing the outdated Community Pool in 2022. Read a letter from the Board of Commissioners here.
Current and Upcoming Construction Projects
Founders Park NOW OPEN!
Playground renovation includes replacing existing equipment and swings with new structures for ages 5-12 and 2-5 play areas and new swings. New playground safety surfacing of engineered wood fiber will be laid. The curb will be adjusted and expanded, the lawn will be restored, and benches added. The existing Founders Park playground was donated to Kids Around the World, an organization that connects underserved areas to gently used play equipment.
Reston Ponds New Neighborhood Park NOW OPEN!
Shodeen Homes has graded and seeded the area in preparation for development.
In July 2022 the Park District was awarded $240,300 in grant funds for the Reston Ponds Park Development Project. This opportunity was made possible through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program.
The grant will fund development of Phase I Projects: Playground, Small loop trail, Picnic shelter, Soccer field, Pickleball court, Native landscaping buffer and educational sign. Additional amenities including a second pickleball court, large loop trail, tennis court, basketball court, and a parking lot will be phased in over the coming years. Construction began in fall 2023.
North Grove Crossing New Neighborhood Park!
The Park District is thrilled to announce that it has received $348,300 in grant funds from the IDNR’s 2024 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program to support the development of the North Gove Crossing neighborhood park. The Park District and North Grove Crossing HOA have been working closely to develop a site plan (see photo) and we are excited to see it come to fruition! The project will go to bid this fall.
ACTION 2020: Great Western Trail Extension – Segment II
Segment two goes from Page and Pleasant Streets in Sycamore to Old Mill Park. The Park District will receive federal grant funding through IDOT’s Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program to complete this project. Currently, we are working with land owners to secure the land need for the route.
Action 2020: 2015-2020
The Park District is working on wrapping up its 7-project ACTION 2020 plan. While some things have been delayed due to frozen grant funds, all projects are still on track to be completed successfully!
Timeline for Completion
| Community Center | Opened spring 2018 |
| Splash Fountain | Opened summer 2018 |
| Northwestern Medicine Sled Hill | Opened winter 2019 |
| Brian Bemis Family Dog Park | Opened spring 2019 |
| Trail Connection 1: Brickville Road to Sycamore Middle School | Opened summer 2018 |
| Trail Connection 2: Great Western Trail Extension | |
| Phase I: Sycamore Forest Preserve to Page St. | Opened fall 2021 |
| Phase II: Page St. to Old Mill Park | Grant received – opening TBD |
| Golf Course Irrigation System Replacement | Completed summer 2020 |
| Sports Complex Expansion | |
| Phase I: New Riverside Soccer Complex | Opened spring 2022 |
| Phase II: Development of Citizens Memorial Sports Complex | Opened summer 2023 |