New park coming to site of shuttered Palatine school

The Palatine Park District is moving ahead with plans to transform the vacant Camelot School site into a community park.

Plans call for the development of the nearly 12-acre property at 1502 W. Northwest Hwy., near Dundee Road, into Meadowlark Park. Construction is expected to be completed later this year.

The design calls for two playgrounds; an adventure course and fitness area; a shelter with picnic tables; a set of bags boards; a drinking fountain; and looped walking paths. It also will provide stormwater detention and have access off Doe Road.

The village council on Monday approved rezoning the property, which the village annexed in 1990, and combining its six lots into one.

The school closed in 2005, and the park district board acquired the property in 2012 for $1.7 million. It is currently vacant, with the exception of an approximately 3,600-square-foot building that will remain for use as storage.

The park district rolled out the concept in 2019 in a series of community meetings that led to a master plan in 2020.

James Holder, superintendent of parks and planning, said the park district received a $499,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources The district will provide a 50% match.

The park is near the Deer Grove Forest Preserve, single-family homes and the Palatine Stables.

“This area is a little bit deficient in playground uses in park areas,” Holder said, adding that the closest is a few blocks away but difficult to access for residents of nearby neighborhoods.

Holder said the park district will be sending a survey to residents to get input on playground equipment, including slides and climbing units.