I worked with the Village of Elwood to prepare a Preliminary Park Plan for Deer Run Park. The challenge of this 37-acre linear park was to transform the space from industrial buffer to a neighborhood park. This presentation explores potential park programming elements for discussion by the Parks & Recreation Committee.

1. Visioning Meeting
Date: December 30, 2009
3 9
Jacques Gourguechon
Dena Hicks

2. Today’s Meeting
 Understanding the issues
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 Existing park program
 Discussion of preferred park program

3. U d t di C t P i t P k
Understanding CenterPoint Park
The Park Site
Existing Program:
 2 Softball Fields
 Parking
 Open Space
 Bike Trail
 Berming

4. U d t di C t P i t P k
Understanding CenterPoint Park
The Park Site
Existing Program:
 Open Space
 Natural Area

5. Issues
What are the forces surrounding
What are the “forces” surrounding
the site that are influencing the
park program?

6. The Park System

7. U d t di C t P i t P k
Understanding CenterPoint Park
Park within the Village
Regional Connections :
 Midewin National
Tallgrass Praire
 Abraham Lincoln
National Cemetery
Local Connections :
 Lloyd Erickson Park
 Elwood Community School
 Little Park
 Downtown
 Village Hall

8. Current Uses/Park System
Lloyd Erickson Park Little Park
 Basketball Courts  Playground
 Pond  Community Green
 Picnic Areas  Parking
 Children’s Garden
Children s Garden
 Parking
 Community Park Pavilion
 Totlot
 Sledding Hill
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 Community Green

9. U d t di C t P i t P k
Understanding CenterPoint Park
Discussion of Issues
1. Is the park in use? Why or
why not?
2. What are your concerns about
the park as it is planned now?
3. Other issues that we need to
know about?
k b t?

10. P t ti l P El t
Potential Program Elements
Active Recreation
Fitness Station Youth Soccer Leagues Skate Park
Bike Trails Adult Softball Leagues Playground

11. P t ti l P El t
Potential Program Elements
Passive Recreation
Gardens Planting Areas
Open Space/Flexible Space
Picnic Shelters Concessions
Field Activities Community Events Performance Space Festival Space

12. P t ti l P El t
Potential Program Elements
Preservation & Educational
Interpretative signage Community Gardens/Ag
Preservation Programs Wetlands Grasslands Woodlands

13. A Vision for CenterPoint Park
1. What do you feel the community needs that are not
currently available within the existing park system?
2. What active recreational programs are important to
you?
3. What passive recreational programs are important to
you?
4. Should the park be primarily active or passive
recreation?