Naperville considers plans to revamp Central Park
Naperville's Central Park may have a new look in years to come.
The city and park district are teaming to put together a master plan to improve the 3.8-acre site along Benton Avenue just east of Washington Street in downtown.
"We have the Riverwalk that is the crown jewel of Naperville, but we do have other nice open spaces we wanted to plan for and look at their short-term and long-term needs," community planner Jason Zawila said.
In recent years the park known for hosting Naperville Municipal Band concerts has undergone several improvements, including walkways with better handicapped accessibility, new playground equipment and landscaping.
Hitchcock Design Group has put together three concept plans for additional enhancements.
Residents will be able to view the proposals and give their input at an open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the municipal center, 400 S. Eagle St.
Concept 1, dubbed "A Better Central Park," generally keeps the same layout but with small improvements.
The plan would include fixed handicapped accessible concert seating with lawn seating beyond, better organized walkways, a relocated gazebo, drop-off areas and landscape improvements. Little parking would be removed.
The second concept, "Central Park Green," aims to increase the amount of open space and to emphasize pedestrian uses. The proposal includes redesign of Court Place on the east side of the park, use of alternative materials on roadways and additional trees and landscaping. A new concert center support structure would replace the gazebo. It would have a sound stage, handicapped viewing and possibly restrooms.
The third concept is "Historic Central Park." This plan would reduce parking and create a performance space that could be used for a variety of events. Alternative materials would be used for roadways, trees and landscaping would be added and walkways would be realigned to provide more green space.
Common elements among the three concepts include making sure the park is handicapped accessible; improving landscaping and signage; preserving monuments, memorials and the playground; and looking for ways to use parking areas for programmable space.
All plans also address issues of concert seating and restrooms. Zawila said planners will consider both permanent and temporary solutions for both. The city hopes to be able to use a grant to help pay for the seating improvements.
Overall cost estimates are not available, but should be ready next week, Zawila said.
After Monday's open house, the plans will go to the Downtown Advisory Commission for further discussion at 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at the municipal center.
The city council and park board likely will adopt a final plan in late spring that could end up closely following one of the concepts or could be a hybrid.
The plans can be viewed at naperville.il.us/centralparkplan.aspx. On that page, citizens also can sign up to receive e-mail alerts about future progress on plans for the park.
Central Park concepts
Hitchcock Design Group has drafted three concepts for improving 3.8-acre Central Park in downtown Naperville.
Better Central Park
Parking: 95 spaces
Open space: 2.52 acres
Fixed concert seating: 220-440
Flexible concert seating: 670-1,340
Key features: Handicapped accessible concert center seating with lawn seating beyond, better organized walkways, relocated gazebo, drop-off areas, landscape improvements
Central Park Green
Parking: 65
Open space: 2.65 acres
Fixed seating: 440-880
Flexible seating: 690-1,380
Key features: Redesign of Court Place, use of alternative materials on roadways and parking, new concert center support structure replacing gazebo, improved trees and landscape
Historic Central Park
Parking: 16
Open space: 2.95 acres
Fixed seating: 520-1,040
Flexible seating: 410-825
Key features: Elimination of parking around park, creation of performance space for wide variety of programs, improved landscape, realignment of walkways
Source: Naperville, Hitchcock Design Group