Roselle's Clauss Park slated for overhaul

Roselle residents play at the 16-year-old Clauss Recreation Center Park more than any other playground in the Roselle Park District.

That's why it's slated for an overhaul in spring that could cost between $150,000 and $180,000, officials said.

“Clauss has one of our older parks and definitely one of our most used because we have our own preschool program and ball fields there,” Executive Director Rob Ward said.

The park district received a $50,000 grant for infrastructure improvements in August from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The money will go toward the upgrades, with the rest of the funds slated to come from the park district, Ward said.

Designers have just completed their first round of proposals for the new look of the park, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Park board members will review initial designs this week.

Ward said the district also will seek public feedback on the designs to make sure residents have a say. Feedback sessions are being scheduled.

Clauss has four fields that can be used for baseball or softball, as well as play equipment for children 6 and older. The upgrades will include a tot park, a pathway from that park that leads to a shaded picnic area across from the ball fields, and another path leading to the second play area.

“It kind of services a full-family concept, since a parent could have a child playing ball in the fields and having children of different ages at each of the parks while being able to keep an eye on all of them,” Ward said.

The park district is slated to solicit construction bids in late February or early March, after the community input meetings. Ward said he hopes the project will break ground in April and be complete by late May.