Carol Stream transferring land to park district

A one-acre vacant lot along Gary Avenue in Carol Stream is being transferred from village ownership to the park district with an eye toward converting it into a neighborhood park.

The village board voted unanimously this week to approve the transfer and the park district board is expected to finalize the deal at its Sept. 23 meeting.

The village purchased the property at 840 Gary Ave. in 2001 after the house on the site had fallen into disrepair and was being used by transients. The village tore down the house and planted grass on the lot, which is surrounded by the Carolshire Commons Condominiums. It has been maintaining the site for the past dozen years, Assistant Village Manager Robert Mellor said.

The park district began expressing interest in the lot in 2012 with an eye toward making better use of the property, providing a recreational venue for the Carolshire neighborhood and taking over maintenance responsibilities.

“The plan was to create some gardens,” Mellor said, “create a park that would benefit the residents of the area.”

At this point there’s limited access to the site, but Mellor said DuPage County plans to install a sidewalk that would lead to the proposed park. Park district officials said they plan to pursue a grant to fund construction of the park.