Algonquin adopts parks and recreation master plan

In April, the Algonquin Village Board adopted a parks and recreation master plan to develop actionable items for the village parks and recreation services to strive to accomplish over the next 10 years.

The village maintains over 22 miles of trails, 554 acres of natural areas, 21 developed park sites totaling 174 acres, an aquatic facility, and hundreds of recreation programs.

The village retained Hitchcock Design Group to assist with the plan that included an open and transparent public input process, including an in-person workshop, mailed survey, online survey, post pandemic online survey, stakeholder meetings, as well as board and staff input allowing for a 360-degree look into parks and open space, naturalized areas, facilities, and programs.

"Our community highly values park and recreation services, which adds to the high quality of life our residents have become accustomed to and expect in Algonquin," stated Village President Debby Sosine. "This plan sets the policy vision for these services that is consistent with resident input over the next 10 years."

Some plan recommendations that are included in the village's current budget plan include conceptual park plan development for Towne Park, tennis court replacement at Gaslight Park, play structure replacement at Hill Climb Park, and design work for the restoration of Woods Creek (Reach 5) open space.

"We have a long history of being good fiscal stewards by developing and maintaining parks, trails, natural areas, recreation facilities, and programs without levying taxes for these purposes," Sosine said. "We fully expect this trend to continue utilizing grants and other financing sources to implement the plan recommendations."

In the past, the village has been awarded $3.1 million in total through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program to develop local parks, including Presidential Park, High Hill Park, Willoughby Farms Park, Merrill-Pioneer Park, Riverfront Park, Kelliher Park, Algonquin Lakes Park, Cornish Park, Ted Spella Park, as well as Stoneybrook Park, which is wrapping up construction this month.

To view the Village of Algonquin Parks and Recreation Master Plan, visit www.algonquin.org/recreation.