patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

North Lake Park Grand Opening Set for Saturday

Check out the latest park amenities from an overhaul of Lake Park that began in 2010.

 
0 of 0
A picnic shelter is one of the new amenities at Lake Park, at Lee Street and Howard Avenue in Des Plaines. Lisa Haring, Des Plaines Park District
Photos (4)

Photos

A fishing pier is one of the new amenities in the northern part of Lake Park, at Lee Street and Howard Avenue in Des Plaines.
A gazebo is one of the new amenities at Lake Park, at Lee Street and Howard Avenue in Des Plaines.
A seating area is one of the new amenities at Lake Park, at Lee Street and Howard Avenue in Des Plaines.
A picnic shelter is one of the new amenities at Lake Park, at Lee Street and Howard Avenue in Des Plaines.

Years of planning and development will culminate in a celebration of Des Plaines’ newest park on Saturday morning. Park district officials, community leaders and residents will gather for the grand opening of the north part of Lake Park, at Howard Avenue and Lee Street, for games, demonstrations and light refreshments, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the park district announced on Patch.

In addition to a large open space for field activities such as soccer, T-ball and flying kites, the north portion of Lake Park also has a water spray for children, two bags courts and a bocce ball court.

John Hecker, executive director of the Des Plaines Park District, stated in the announcement that the development of the north side of Lake Park included plenty of open space for families to enjoy games, picnicking and relaxing.

“Lake Park has always been a favorite in the community,” Hecker stated. “And now it has even more to enjoy.”

Earlier: Yoga for kids, families offered at new Des Plaines studio.

The park district expanded Lake Park after purchasing approximately three acres at Lee Street and Howard Avenue from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in 2007, according to the announcement.

On Fifth Ward Alderman James Brookman’s website, Hecker stated that, at the time, the church was considering a much higher offer from a private developer that wanted to build townhomes on the property.

“When they sold the property to the Park District, the congregation made a significant contribution to the green space available to the residents of Des Plaines,” Hecker stated in the announcement on Patch.

Design and construction of amenities at Lake Park began in 2010. A large fishing pier, picnic shelter, gazebo, interpretive signage, extended walking path with benches, sensory garden, and native trees including red maples, Ohio buckeyes, sugar maples were among the additions.

Lake Park was purchased in the 1950s from a developer that used it for clay to build the nearby tollway, TribLocal reported.

Here’s a picture of what Lake Park looked like in the 1960s, and here are some more current images of Lake Park and other parks in Des Plaines.

Find Patch on Facebook; click like.

Stay connected: Receive an email from Des Plaines Patch with headlines in the morning for free.

Related Topics: Des Plaines Park District, Lake Park, city of des plaines, des plaines, des plaines illinois, des plaines parks, and north lake park
Tell us what you think. Tell us in the comments.

Leave a comment