Changes in store for new and old Des Plaines parks
New playgrounds and swings are among the improvements planned for a Des Plaines park and a nearby piece of vacant land that's being turned into a new park.
The Des Plaines Park District is hosting a public forum Monday to gather feedback from residents on the proposed changes to Cherokee Park, 1260 White St., and a new "pocket park" at 968 Second Ave. The parks are located about a mile from each other, near Mannheim and Algonquin roads.
According to the preliminary design sketches, Cherokee Park will have new play structures for age groups 2-5 and 5-12, swings and seating areas. An existing basketball court will remain.
The unnamed pocket park is a 7,000-square-foot lot the district purchased last year for $52,000 from the city, which acquired the land in condemnation. It will have a playground area for ages 2-5, swings, trees and new plantings.
Conceptual designs for both parks will be available at the meeting, which will be held at the field house at West Park, 651 S. Wolf Road. The forum on the new pocket park is scheduled for 7 p.m., and Cherokee Park at 7:30 p.m.
Construction of the new playgrounds and amenities is scheduled to begin soon and be completed by early fall.