Spreading the love: Lake Zurich targets five ‘key’ parks for comprehensive analysis and potential redevelopment

Paulus and Breezewald parks may be the most familiar in Lake Zurich but five other key facilities in town will be evaluated for potential redevelopment over several years.

Attention will be focused on Kuechmann Arboretum and Oak Ridge, Old Mill Grove, Staples and Zurites parks as part of a master planning process expected to continue into January.

Locations were chosen on public and affiliate use, known infrastructure needs and input from the park and recreation advisory board among other criteria, according to Bonnie Caputo, recreation director.

The village board last week approved a not-to-exceed contract of $98,910 with Upland Design Ltd., to assess conditions, identify needs and develop a phased schedule of improvements for the next five to 10 years.

Upland, which has offices in Chicago and Plainfield, specializes in park development and renovation as well as community-wide recreation and park planning. The company was considered a particularly strong candidate among 12 firms that submitted proposals and was set apart by its “park-focused expertise,” according to village information.

“This is not a full blown master plan,” Caputo said. “It’s really very focused on five of our park parcels.”

Planning for the five sites involves a comprehensive analysis and assessment of each site; community engagement, emphasis on sustainable design such as stormwater management and native plantings, for example; financial efficiency and, long-term vision, according to Upland’s proposal.

“We also want to make sure we’re looking at this from a higher level,” Caputo said.

Lake Zurich owns and maintains 32 parks totaling more than 247 acres and has made significant investments at Paulus, the most visited and largest in the system at 41 acres, and Breezewald parks, on opposite sides of the lake.

“I’m really excited to spread the love,” Caputo said of the parks plan. “There’s so much potential in these parcels not only for the neighborhoods, but community as a whole.”

In an separate matter, work is expected to begin soon on a redesigned sprayground, permanent band shell structure and the final segment of shoreline stabilization as part of $3.3 million in ongoing improvements at Paulus Park.