Cantigny Park improvements to ease congestion

Getting into and out of Wheaton’s Cantigny Park could be a whole lot easier in the coming year.

Park officials on Thursday announced plans to eliminate the bottleneck often caused by guests entering the grounds during events by upgrading the entrance for the first time since 1958.

Highlights of the project include a new northbound turn lane into the park from Winfield Road, wider entrance and exit lanes, an additional parking payment booth to reduce delays, and new signs, lighting and landscaping.

“This project is all about creating a better guest experience, which begins and ends at our front door,” Cantigny Park Executive Director Matt LaFond said in a written statement Thursday. “We want visitors to be able to come and go without delay. During some of our larger events, the park entrance can be a bottleneck.”

More than 350,000 guests visit the grounds each year to attend special events and visit the Robert R. McCormick Museum, the First Division Museum and 30 acres of gardens, officials said.

“We’re excited to bring the front entrance up to speed with the rest of our operations,” LaFond said. “A safer and more attractive gateway, along with better visibility from Winfield Road, is a great investment in the park’s future.”

The project’s 10-month timetable was chosen to minimize interference with key events, but visitors are likely to encounter some inconveniences during that time.

“We’ll do our best to make this easy for guests,” LaFond stated. “By next summer we think everyone will be happy. The new entrance is a big step forward in so many ways.”