State funding restored for Carpenter Park project

State funding for the long-awaited Carpenter Park improvement project is being released, and construction could resume as early as this fall, Carpentersville officials said.

The roughly $1 million project has been suspended since March 2015, when the state froze funding for park projects across Illinois, including a $400,000 matching grant that had been awarded to Carpentersville.

At the time, the village had already removed all equipment, restroom shelters and basketball courts in anticipation of the renovation. Some events were canceled or relocated, and the village's flagship park on Carpenter Boulevard was left nearly empty.

Now more than a year later, the project will soon be restored to its "pre-suspension status," Illinois Department of Natural Resources leaders said in a letter to the village last week.

"We have some money to spend now where it's sorely needed," Trustee Kevin Rehberg said. "It's great to get that back on track."

The feat can largely be attributed to Village President Ed Ritter, who worked with state legislators and other mayors to push for the release of park project funding, Village Manager Mark Rooney said.

Planned upgrades include a sand volleyball court, a nine-hole disc golf course, a picnic shelter, new basketball courts and improvements to the softball field. A gazebo with bags games, new restrooms and a multi-use trail that connects to the regional Fox River Trail are also anticipated.

Eager to get started again, Rooney said, the village is working to secure a contractor, finalize details and acquire the promised funds from the state. Officials also want to avoid construction interfering with any preplanned events.

If all goes well, he said, the goal is to complete the renovation next summer.

"When that's done, it'll really be a gem here in Carpentersville," Rehberg said.