Sunset Woods Park Improvements Project
Location:
1801 Sunset Rd.
Target Start Date:
September 2024
Target End Date:
End of Year 2024

In 2023, the Park District of Highland Park was awarded a $600,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to make improvements to the South portion of Sunset Woods Park. The proposed project is consistent with the approved Sunset Woods Park Master Plan and- addresses aging recreation components while prioritizing intergenerational play and access for all ages and abilities. The project scope includes a rain garden with native plantings, a new game area, the replacement and relocation of the basketball court to create a multi-use sports court, the replacement and relocation of the skate park, and the addition of a new wheel-friendly plaza that creates a space for all ages wheel activities.

Other upcoming investments in Sunset Woods Park:

  • Planning for athletic field and court lighting replacement.
  • Engineering assessment of the tennis and clay courts. This effort will determine future improvements and repairs to the courts.
  • Engineering assessment of the drainage in the southwest corner of the park.

Join the Conversation!

There will be various opportunities throughout the project to get involved. Some engagement opportunities may be specific to a recreational element (i.e. skate park, athletic field, etc.).

Overall Plan

The overall plan below overviews the design of the project components that have been developed through the design process.

West Side Renderings

The renderings below show the elements of the west side of the project area.

Concept Plan

The concept plan below highlights the project area (red outline) and the project components.

Click image to enlarge.
Process
Target Start
Target End
Design
November 2023
Spring 2024
Bid/Award
Spring 2024
Spring 2024
Construction
September 2024
End of Year 2024
Lighting Replacement
2025

Project Updates

Stay up to date on the latest renovations

November 19, 2024

Concrete for the game area is being installed and the curb around the bocce court has been completed.

November 19, 2024
November 14, 2024

The path along the skate park and wheel-friendly plaza has been paved.

November 14, 2024
November 14, 2024

Prep-work to install the bocce court has started.

November 14, 2024
October 30, 2024

Installation of the multi-use basketball court has started!

October 30, 2024
October 17, 2024

Prep-work for installation of the new wheel-friendly plaza and skate park is underway!

Demolition of the skate park and basketball court has started.

October 17, 2024
October 17, 2024

Prep-work for installation of the multi-use basketball court is underway!

Drainage to the rain garden area has been installed and grading work is nearing completion.

October 17, 2024
October 17, 2024

Prep-work for the installation of the game area is underway! Grading and excavation work has been completed.

October 17, 2024
October 4, 2024

Construction fencing has been installed.
Areas within the construction fence are now closed for construction.

October 4, 2024
August 23, 2024

Construction is expected to begin the week of September 16.

During construction, portions of the south end of Sunset Woods Park will be closed. The basketball court, skate park, and adjacent path will be closed in addition to the area between the main entrance and tennis courts. The main entrance and tennis courts will remain open during construction.

Click here to see a map of construction areas.

August 23, 2024
May 3, 2024

Thank you again to everyone who has provided feedback throughout the design process.

The project will go out to bid at the end of July and construction will start in September 2024.

Click here to see the plan.

May 3, 2024
May 3, 2024

A Community Meeting was held on Thursday, May 2, 2024 to share concept designs and collect feedback.

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting, the feedback provided will be used to guide the final designs.

View a summary of the feedback received on the preferred concept designs and the preliminary updates here.

May 3, 2024
April 2, 2024

Thank you to everyone who attended the Skate Park Design Meeting!

The feedback provided is being used to guide the design process for the skate park and wheel-friendly plaza.

April 2, 2024
March 14, 2024

A Skate Park Design Meeting will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024 to collect community feedback to guide the design for the skate park and wheel-friendly plaza.

At this meeting, the community will have the opportunity to work directly with Professional Skateboarders, Cody McEntire and Julia Brueckler at American Ramp Company to re-imagine the skate park and wheel-friendly plaza.

March 14, 2024
February 22, 2024

A Community Meeting was held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 to share information about the project and collect community feedback.

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting, the feedback provided is being used to guide the design process.

February 22, 2024
January 31, 2024

A Neighborhood Stakeholder Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 5:00pm at the Sunset Woods Field House with neighbors that live directly adjacent to the park.

At this meeting, the project team will explain the project scope and will facilitate a conversation about cares and concerns as design work begins.

January 31, 2024
November 15, 2023

At the November 15 Board Meeting, the Park District Board of Commissioners approved Lamar Johnson Collaborative’s (LJC) proposal for Site Design and Engineering Services for the Sunset Woods Improvements Project.
LJC will be working with the Park District of Highland Park to design and implement the Sunset Woods Improvements Project.

November 15, 2023
March 1, 2023

The Park District of Highland Park was awarded $600,000 through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for Improvements to the southern portion of Sunset Woods Park.

March 1, 2023