Bensenville parks to get upgrades

Pines and Sunset parks in Bensenville will soon undergo renovation.

Plans call for new playgrounds at both parks as well as more and improved security lighting.

Sunset Park, located at Barron and Grove streets, could receive additional upgrades. They include resurfacing the tennis and basketball courts and making drainage improvements to the park's baseball field.

Pines Park, located at Church Road and Red Oak Street, could get shade shelters for picnic tables and adult seating for playground equipment, said Bensenville Parks Director Robert Jarecki.

"The playgrounds have been on our replacement list for several years, and we finally have money," Jarecki said.

The park board last week hired an architect, Oswego-based LandTech, to develop plans for improving both parks. The plans should be complete by the end of February or early March.

The park board estimates the project will cost between $660,000 to $680,000. If all goes according to plan, the work will be completed by early fall, Jarecki said.

In addition to the improvements at Pines and Sunset parks, district officials are hoping to renovate Veterans Park, located at Church Road and Main Street.

The wish list includes building, parking lot and sidewalk improvements and, possibly, a new playground. However, nothing has been finalized.

Fischer Farm, one of the area's oldest settlements near Church Road and Grand Avenue, also could see some rehabilitation work, including possible improvements to its pre-Civil War barn structure.