ROTARY CLUB PLAYGROUND “FISH PARK”

A new fish bridge was installed as well as a new base for the tri-totter feature.  All areas of the playground are open for use once again.  For additional information, questions, or concerns, please contact the Parks office at 630-834-3051.

Lions cOMMUNITY cENTER 

2021-2022 $10M GRANT INFORMATION

In September 2021, the Village of Villa Park received notice that the community received a $10 million grant from the Department of Natural Resources- Build Illinois Bond Fund grant to be used towards costs associated with the construction of a Parks and Recreation Center.

IN MOTION

Proposed Lions Community Center Redevelopment Demolition bids can be found digitally here  Version Options Parks & Recreation Updates HeadlineA new fish bridge was installed as well as a new base for the tri-totter feature.  All areas of the playground are open for use once again.  For additional information, questions, or concerns, please contact the Parks office at 630-834-3051. Lions cOMMUNITY cENTER uPDATES Lions cOMMUNITY cENTER uPDATES Lions cOMMUNITY cENTER

Tree Work Ahead!  We are excited to continue making progress on the new Lions Community Center project!  Staff is currently identifying memorial items which will be saved and reinstalled once the new building is completed, as well as reviewing the site for trees within the footprint of the new building that will be removed.  Trees removed will be ground and made into wood chips which will be available to residents at Lufkin Park within the next few weeks.    

Staff will also be working to preserve trees within the proposed construction area that are not directly affected by the construction project, and new trees will be planted in the surrounding area upon the completion of the project.  Please contact the Parks and Recreation department with any questions at 630-834-3051.

In recent years, the Village of Villa Park has made great strides in providing outstanding services to our residents and visitors, especially in the area of parks and community recreation. These efforts helped make Villa Park the 28th Best Place to Live in America, according to Money Magazine (2017), but there’s still work to do! The Village must continue to build for future generations. After thorough research – including site surveys, the completion of Lufkin and Jefferson Pool assessments (PDF), and the adoption of a Master Plan, the Village has determined that it would be in the interests of the community and consistent with the Master Plan documents to develop a Community Pool &/or Recreation Center. This project is ambitious, gives back to all, and provides our community members an environment to learn and grow in mind and body.

QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS IS A HIGH PRIORITY

While Villa Park has been recognized as one of the best places to live in America, there are still steps we must take to improve life in the Village — especially when it comes to the physical, mental, and financial health of the public. According to the National Recreation and Park Association’s Community Standards Report, Parks and Recreation agencies have the power to strengthen communities, transform lives, and protect the future. Parks systems have a positive impact on communities by driving economic activity, saving taxpayers money, making people healthy, and addressing issues of social equality. The development of a Community Pool &/or Recreation Center will bring fresh energy and a renewed spirit to our community. The Village of Villa Park sees a continued need to invest in the quality of life of our residents, and a Community Pool &/or Recreation Center would help fill that need.

WE’RE IN MOTION: A COMMUNITY POOL &/OR RECREATION CENTER WILL HELP VILLA PARK BUILD FOR THE FUTURE

According to the National Recreation and Park Association’s Community Standards Report, Parks and Recreation agencies have the power to strengthen communities, transform lives, and protect the future. Parks systems have a positive impact on communities by…

• Driving economic activity: The presence of quality parks has been repeatedly shown to increase property values.
• Saving taxpayers money through valuable ecosystem services: Parks are essential tools for conservation and environmental sustainability.
• Encouraging a healthy lifestyle: Access to park and recreation facilities aids in the control of obesity, boosts the immune system, diminishes the risk of disease, and increases life expectancy.
• Addressing issues of social equality: Parks and recreation help build and strengthen community ties, bringing diverse populations together and increasing social capital.
• Reducing the Village’s carbon footprint: If a recreation building were constructed, the Village would vacate the Iowa Community Center (ICC) in an effort to reduce the Village’s carbon footprint.
• Fostering community cooperation: The Village of Villa Park cooperates with community partners and community resource officers through intergovernmental agreements, with the maintenance of properties such as ball fields and soccer fields. These facilities would give school districts, local senior centers, and youth programs more space and scheduling options.

The Village’s Park and Recreation Master Plan states, "There will be many challenging and difficult decisions facing the Village Board as the Parks Master Plan is adopted, primarily dealing with funding for the various segments of the Community - Streets, Infrastructure, Government; but what many people notice, and what dramatically enhances property values, is the quality of the community parks.”

COMMUNITY POOL &/OR RECREATION CENTER Q&A

Lufkin Park Renovation

Lufkin Park Tree Update: The trees in Lufkin Park were removed in conjunction with planned park enhancements starting later this summer/fall. The Village is partnering with DuPage County Stormwater Management on enlarging the detention pond and natural landscaping to help mitigate localized flooding. The Village also received an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant to add additional park amenities, including a splash pad, band shelter, park shelter, playground, and walking paths. 

While construction is not planned to start until late July/early August, new legislation was passed that added DuPage County to the list of locations to add protections for the endangered Northern Long Ear Bat. The protections included that tree clearing for capital projects can’t occur between April 1st and September 30th. Therefore, trees impacted by the projects had to be removed early. If you have any questions, please contact our public works at 630. 834.8505.