Aurora park gets an upgrade
One of the oldest and most used parks in the Fox Valley Park District has gotten a makeover.
Greene Field Park in Aurora underwent a transformation the park district described as "one of the most ambitious" it has ever done.
Along with renovated baseball fields and the addition of a soccer field, the playground has been changed to have a space theme.
Park district officials said they hope it can appeal to children and teenagers and help curtail vandalism that has occurred at the park in recent years.
"We wanted to give the kids a sense of ownership, a sense of pride," said Jeff Long, the park district's public relations manager. "If they feel like it's their park, they'll feel more inclined to take care of it."
The park district will unveil the park's new features at a public rededication ceremony at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The park is located on the southeast corner of West Illinois Avenue and North Lancaster Avenue.
The project cost $1.14 million, with $349,200 coming from an Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant and the rest from the park district's capital development budget.
In February, voters approved a request to purchase $45 million in bonds for various park projects.
Long said projects like the renovation are a result of the referendum.
"Projects like Greene Field Park are what we're going to be doing more of since the referendum passed," he said. "It's just a preview."
Kane County Cougars mascot Ozzie will appear along with the park district's new fox mascot, whose name will be revealed at the ceremony.
Also, former White Sox outfielder John Cangelosi will sign autographs.
The reopening celebrates a park that has been in Aurora since the 1930s.
Long said the age of the park led to the decision to renovate.
"It needed it," Long said. "It's one of those older parks that just needed some TLC."
Because it's been around for so long, many Aurora residents grew up playing at Greene Field Park. Long expects hundreds of people to show up for the rededication.
"Generations of baseball, softball, area high school and beer league players all played there," Long said. "That's why it's touched so many people. Everybody has a memory of playing there."