This capital improvement project is a result of the 2009 Community Survey and the Master Plan meetings held in 2010 with neighbors and users of the park. The improvements to Frontier Park were approved by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Arlington Heights in February 2013, giving the Park District the authority to begin significant park enhancements. See the plans.
What's Next?
Our goal is to have completed the majority of this project in 2013 therefore bids for this project are on the street as we plan to start construction this spring. Expect to see a lot of construction around Frontier Park for the next 18 months. Posted July 16, 2013
- We have experienced some delays due to the weather and unusually wet conditions.
- On Monday July 15 the installation of the underground storm sewers began and we expect a flurry of activity at Frontier Park.
- You should see the sewer work take a couple of weeks along with curbs being installed along Fernandez and sidewalks going in along Fernandez and Ladd.
We expect all work to be done this fall with seed being planted in late August or early September.
By summer 2014, we should have the bulk of the improvements completed and for the enjoyment of the community. Download Fact Sheet
Signs
You may notice Capital Improvement signs going up in different areas around Frontier Park. The signs will be posted at project areas as construction begins.
Project Implementation
Phase I improvements, planned for 2013-2014, will concentrate on park areas and amenities and will not include any improvements to the community center. Significant improvements to storm water drainage and 26 new parking spaces will be built along Fernandez Avenue at the north end of the park. Much of the funding for the first phase of this project will come from a $400,000 Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant. The remainder of this $3.2 million project will be funded by the Park District.
This project went through a rigorous and thorough design and development review as the District conducted master planning meetings at and for each park and facility. Numerous meetings with the neighbors and users of these parks and facilities were held with the Board of Commissioners before the Board agreed on a final master plan for each site. (Similar meetings and master plans are in place for Recreation and Heritage Parks as well.) After careful consideration of the short and long term effects and benefits of these projects the Board of Commissioners approved the funding formula and the projects themselves.
The amount of bonds available through the non referendum method is limited as is the amount of taxes that the District can levy to repay the bonds. The Park District has had a practice in place for many years that maintains a stable tax rate. The non referendum bonds needed to accomplish this project will be sold and will not raise taxes as these sales have been carefully planned for many years.
Improvement Plan Highlights:
- New tennis courts
- New basketball courts
- New baseball/softball diamonds (2)
- New soccer field
- New pathyway system
- New garden plots
- Enhanced playgrounds accessible for 2-5 year olds and for 5-12 year olds
- One (1) new picnic shelter
Visit this page to track the progress of this project.