State grant boosts $1.5 million Mundelein park upgrade

The Mundelein Park & Recreation District will receive a $400,000 grant from the state's Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program to help fund a $1.5 million upgrade of Clearbrook Park, district officials announced Monday.

The park, on Clearbrook Park Drive off Route 45/Lake Street, features a ballfield, playground and open space, and is accessible only to pedestrians.

The proposed upgrades include creation of a new entry point for vehicles and a parking lot, an asphalt trail loop, a shelter for park visitors, and the only nonschool football field and first lacrosse field in the district

"This grant will allow the district to turn this site into a true community park," Margaret Resnick, the park district's executive director, said in an announcement of the grant.

The Clearbrook work is one of 89 outdoor recreation projects selected for funding assistance by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The park district also has been chosen to receive $85,000 in matching funds to assist with the replacement of playgrounds at Fairhaven and Hanrahan parks this year, through a partnership between the Illinois Park & Recreation Association and PlayCore/GameTime.

"We welcome the opportunity to bring new playground equipment to the district through this grant program," said Derek Solberg, the district's superintendent of buildings and grounds.