Wheeling park's revamp to include resident input
A redeveloped park in Wheeling won't just serve the community -- it'll be built with the help of its residents.
The park district is working on plans to rebuild the 98-acre Heritage Park, a process that includes a committee of residents coming up with the development ideas.
The district gained some acreage from the village in a land swap and a sale involving St. Joseph the Worker Church last year that allowed Wheeling to start building a new village hall.
"It's the signature park for the area, and we have a really unique opportunity," said park spokesman Matt Wehby. "We're really trying to engage the community."
The district formed a 15-member panel of residents, a commissioner, a consultant and park staff members. The residents range from those involved in sports at the park district to those who are in the garden club.
The committee broke into groups and came up with three separate designs for Heritage Park. They'll be showcased at a meeting later next month, tentatively scheduled for May 22, where residents can offer their own input.
Lawrence Raffel, parks superintendent of planning, said the plans have subtle differences, but each group felt the park should offer a sense of community.
He said there was also some consensus on keeping, but realigning, the six baseball fields; keeping the detention pond; enhancing the lake; and relocating the playground and basketball and tennis courts.
There were also ideas on providing walking trails directly from the Community Recreation Center for those who want to run or hike to and from that facility.
Residents will have the chance to comment on all aspects of the three designs at the community forum.
Following the May meeting, the district will assemble a comprehensive plan to present to the board in June or July. The board then has to decide how and when to finance the project, likely to be done in phases.
"You don't often see get the chance to redevelop a community park," Raffel said. "This is a real unique way."