Leslie Park Improvements To Begin

Published 2/2/2024

Leslie Park Improvements Are Completed By The Park District

The Bloomingdale Park District will receive $300,000 from the Department of Natural Resources’ FY 2023 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program. The grant monies will enhance open space opportunities at the Park District’s Leslie Park. The park improvements began with safety fencing currently being installed and the removal of the old playground scheduled for early February.  This project coincides with improvements the Village of Bloomingdale is making around the pond area with those improvements being completed soon.  Any questions about the pond renovations should be directed to the Village of Bloomingdale.

Leslie Park is nestled in a Bloomingdale neighborhood, providing critical green space to single family homes occupied by a mixture of various age groups.

The grant funded project will include:

•             A new playground divided into two separate areas specific to the 2-5 and 5-12 age groups, both featuring modern surfacing.

•             Bag game, frisbee golf, and climbing rock features.

•             Shaded outdoor gazebo.

•             Decorative safety fencing between the play area and the street. 

•             An accessible fishing station.

•             Path improvements with exercise stations.

•             Native vegetation with interpretive signs for outdoor learning opportunities.

These proposed improvements are the outcome of the Bloomingdale Park District’s Strategic Plan, ADA Transition Plan, their most recent Community Survey, and public input received during recent neighborhood meetings.  Planning for these improvements has occurred in cooperation with residents and the Village of Bloomingdale. The Village intends to utilize stormwater grant funds to enhance the property’s lake with fishing piers/stations, native vegetation, and improved stormwater retention.

The Bloomingdale Park District project was one of 118 local outdoor recreation projects, representing $59 million in funding assistance, approved by the Department of Natural Resources for FY 2023 OSLAD grant funding.