The Recreation Park Project is currently in the planning and development stages. We expect to have timelines and finalized designs for Phase 1 soon! Information regarding the project will be communicated as they become available through our website, social media, email newsletter and more.
Phase 1 | OSLAD
December 2024
This fall brought great progress at Recreation Park as we work to enhance this beloved space. As winter sets in, work will resume in the spring, bringing us closer to completing key phases of the project. Thank you for your continued support and patience as we build something special for the community.
August 2024
The Recreation Park site has 156 trees identified on both the Park District property and the Village of Arlington Heights right-of-way. As part of the Phase 1 improvements, 18 trees will be removed – 6 due to their poor or failing condition and 12 that are located in areas where soil distribution is necessary. These areas will be future locations for detention, skate park, tennis courts and playground. Other woody plant and landscape bed removals may take place to accommodate the new amenities.
In accordance with permit requirements, we are required to plant 50 trees but are happy to share that we have increased that number to 71! In the coming weeks, we will start removing the playground surfacing and curbs as well as the tennis courts, followed by site grading and the installation of underground infrastructure. As utility disconnects are completed for the Northwest Highway properties, we will proceed with their removal and site preparation for the southern area of the project.
July 2024
The Recreation Park playground was removed around July 16 by Kids Around the World, who will bring the equipment to a third world country for use.
May 2024
The Arlington Heights Park District staff is pleased to share preliminary information regarding the renovations at Recreation Park. Buildings along Route 14 may be demolished before Frontier Days with Phase I construction potentially starting after Frontier Days.
AHPD is also pleased to confirm that Recreation Park Pool is anticipated to have normal pool operations during the 2024 and 2025 pool seasons with construction to the pool and bathhouse potentially starting in August 2025.
February 2024
In February of 2024, Governor Pritzker and the IDNR announced that AHPD has been awarded a second $600,000 OSLAD Grant for Phase II of the Recreation Park Project. Phase II includes improvements to the ballfield, basketball court and pathways as well as additions of various table games and a shelter.
March 2023
On March 1, 2023, Governor Pritzker announced that Arlington Heights Park District is one of 118 agencies across the state to receive an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant! Thank you to our legislators and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for their work on securing this critical funding.
This $600,000 grant will go towards making proposed improvements to Recreation Park including: a fully accessible playground for people of all abilities, adding outdoor lawn games and fitness equipment, renovating the tennis courts, a new skate park and more. Learn more and about the Phase 1 Concept below. Additionally, thank you to the Arlington Heights Park Foundation for generously committing $200,000 toward the fully accessible playground portion of the project.
View Recreation Park Proposed Phase 1 OSLAD Concept
Community Center, Pool & Bathhouse | PARC
February 11, 2025
Following the Village of Arlington Heights Design Commission Meeting, further design development updates have been made to the proposed renderings for the Community Center, Pool and Bathhouse.
December 10, 2024
Following the November 26 Board of Commissioners Meeting, further design development updates have been made to the proposed renderings for the Community Center, Pool and Bathhouse in response to the feedback received from both the Board and the community.
November 26, 2024
The Board of Commissioners continued to refine the proposed design development plans and renderings.
August 27, 2024
The Board of Commissioners discussed the updated proposed renderings for the Recreation Park Community Center, Pool and Bathhouse. The revisions entail retaining the existing community center building and replacing the old bathhouse with a new facility.
August 13, 2024
Progress continues to be made to the proposed concept plans for the Community Center, Pool and Bathhouse.
July 9, 2024
Proposed concept plans and renderings were presented to the Board of Commissioners.
January 2024
We are pleased to share that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced the Arlington Heights Park District has been selected as one of the 12 recipients for the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC) grant! The grant, totaling $2.8 million, will be allocated towards enhancements at the Recreation Park facility. Stay tuned for additional updates!
August 2023
The Arlington Heights Park District (AHPD) is leading a planning initiative for Recreation Park facility improvements (future aquatic amenities and bathhouse) and is submitting an application for funding assistance through an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC) Grant.
The improvements will include:
- Renovation of an existing inaccessible recreation center into a fully accessible bathhouse (its intended purpose), while maintaining the original façade of a well-loved WPA building, initially constructed in 1937
- Complete removal of the existing 50-Meter swimming pool to be replaced with a new 50-Meter swimming pool
- Updated children’s aquatic area
- Additional green space accessible to pool users
