Homewood-Flossmoor Park District commissioners got a glimpse at what the new version of Leavitt Park could be. But for now, cost is limiting any decisions on how or when to move forward.
Commissioners were excited by the prospect of what could be in store for the park. They used words like “Wow!” and “Great ideas, great concepts!” but then reality set in. The park board is dealing with the emergency repairs to the H-F Ice Arena after its ice making system failed in November 2021. The park board has borrowed to cover those costs and doesn’t have the funds for improvements at Leavitt Park that could be between $800,000 and $900,000.
The park district could split the cost of the project using a state grant, but it’s too early in the process to file an application.
“My gut says I don’t know that I want to (move forward) now because of the fact that we’re not at a point financially where we could go forward,” Commissioner Steve Johnson said. “You’re going to raise expectations that you’re going to have a park next year. I think we’d get people excited, but we may not be able to deliver.”
Board President Brent Bachus agreed: “Let’s get the ice arena open and then do some other things; maybe springtime.”
The park board started discussing Leavitt Park changes more than two years ago. The park district purchased Leavitt School in 1984 for $150,000 and created the park.
Any work also would need a joint decision from the Village of Flossmoor on changes to the landscaping because part of the park is used for water retention.
Leavitt Park is 3.75 acres bounded by Leavitt Avenue on the east, Douglas Avenue on the west, and Park Drive on the north. Houses are on its south border.
Liz Dafoe of Upland Design presented three plans for the park at the Aug. 16 park board meeting. The plans were developed after Upland Design and the park district hosted informational meetings with residents and stakeholders in fall 2021.
Dafoe said the plans looked at the needs of children of all ages, as well as adults. She showed commissioners the various pieces of play equipment and architectural drawings to give them visuals on how the park could be divided into specific areas for each age group. There would be lots of climbing equipment for the older kids, a nature themed play area for younger kids, a quiet area with gaming tables and benches, and a walking path.
One plan kept the baseball field, but the other two plans made that space open for sports or events. The park also is home to several sculptures placed by the village. The one at the south end is owned by the park district. It may need to be relocated, depending on which plan is selected.
Commissioners decided for now the Leavitt Park plans will be part of the master plan for the park district. Parks Executive Director Debbie Kopas wondered which plan or parts of plans would be acceptable to the public but she wasn’t sure if this is the right time to conduct public meetings.
Commissioner Linda Ojode said residents should feel that their input on the plans can be incorporated into a final design, but she didn’t have a timeline in mind.