Elgin council hopes for extension on far west park improvements
The 224-acre park property near Plank and Switzer roads in Elgin is in line for improvements.
City council members voted Wednesday to take the first steps toward developing part of the land, which was purchased in 2006.
SmithGroup JJR has been hired as a consultant to complete the engineering phase of the project — a $60,000 job to be paid for with developer fees.
The Jack E. Cook Regional Park, named for the former Kane County Forest Preserve District Board president, includes 93 acres of forest preserve district property. That portion of the park is planned as an open, natural area.
Improvements discussed Wednesday include two soccer fields, basketball and tennis courts, a shelter, a small playground, parking and a detention area on 10 acres of the land.
The long-term plan for the space includes eight tennis courts, three basketball courts and a skate park.
“As the population increases, the idea is the additional amenities would come online,” said Asst. City Manager Rick Kozal.
A $750,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in 2006 specified development by 2009 but the city got an extension as it applied for additional grants for the improvements.
The city received $400,000 in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant in 2011, which is supposed to fund the first phase of improvements by the end of 2013. Total cost for this round of work is estimated at about $942,600.
Council members indicated support for another extension before construction work on the park but gave unanimous preliminary approval to the engineering agreement during the committee of the whole meeting Wednesday. An extension would allow for more population growth in the far west developments that were planned but never filled.