Northbrook’s West Park renovation includes new playground, multisport court
The extensive renovation of West Park in Northbrook is scheduled to begin in mid to late May with completion in fall.
The 24-acre community park is located at 1730 Pfingsten Road, behind the Northbrook Sports Center. The Northbrook Park District’s renovation project includes:
• A new playground with increased accessibility, ramped play areas and synthetic turf safety surface
• A new picnic shelter near the playground
• Replacement of three tennis courts
• Replacement of one sand volleyball court
• New native planting areas along the trail
• Trail additions along the parking lot to create a two-thirds of a mile continuous loop within the park
• A new multisport court featuring hockey and basketball
• New amenities such as benches, garbage/recycling cans and a drinking fountain with bottle filler and dog bowl
The $1.9 million project is funded by the Northbrook Park District’s capital reserve fund and a $600,000 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
West Park is highly used due to its numerous sports amenities and proximity to the Northbrook Sports Center complex, which includes indoor ice rinks and an outdoor pool, Northbrook Park District Director of Parks and Properties James Kim said.
“The playground is the second oldest in Northbrook and the tennis courts are the oldest in our inventory, so the park is due for an upgrade,” he said. “The new playground will be themed, and we are creating a continuous loop for walkers around the park, which we believe the community will enjoy.”
The project is based on careful evaluation of community priorities and feedback, including public input surveys conducted in 2024 and 2025.
The plan also includes the removal of some invasive and declining trees, and planting of 17,000 square feet of naturalized areas with 23 species of native seed and 13 native plant plug species.
Tree planting will begin at the conclusion of the project in fall and resume in spring 2027. Species and locations will be dictated by the Northbrook Park District’s urban forestry management plan.
The narrow parking area between the playground and the Sports Center (on the back side of the building) will be closed during the project. The main parking lot areas will remain open, and access to the Sports Center and the pool will not be affected. For project updates, visit nbparks.org/projects. Established in 1927, the mission of the Northbrook Park District is to enhance the community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship.