Site work for a mixed-use development in Forest Park, Illinois. Design plans call for site work for a playground / park / athletic field.

The OSLAD grant  On Dec. 18, the park board unanimously approved a proposal from Hitchcock Design Architect Services for $137,000 for the group to undergo data gathering, design development and construction documentation. The approval is contingent on the park district getting a grant from Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development, a grant program financed by Illinois’ real estate transfer tax that funds local government agencies developing parks and open space. To finance the soccer field renovation, the park district is applying for a $600,000 matching OSLAD grant. Hitchcock Design Group — which designed the park district’s pocket parks — has accessed OSLAD funding with previous projects in Forest Park and understands the grant process, park officials said. Recipients will be awarded in January, and Harrison Street construction could start as soon as the fall. Iovinelli said that, even if the park district doesn’t get the grant, it will still redo the soccer field. Replacing the soccer field surface is estimated to cost $750,000. The rest of the main playground updates would be put on hold until the park district can apply for another grant to help finance them. As of January 5, 2025, this project is in design. The architect has been identified and information regarding the method of general contractor selection is unavailable. A firm construction timeline has not been established. *Project information, including timeline and contacts, has been obtained through public sources. The content management team continues to pursue additional details; however, the contact(s) listed have yet to disclose or confirm any information. Inquiries should be directed to the contact(s) listed.