Borse Memorial Community Park Phase I & II Project Updates

October 2024 Project Update 

Borse Memorial Community Park is currently in Phase II of a three-phase redevelopment plan. The Village was selected as a grant recipient for the 2023 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) award program. The $600,000 grant award is designated for Phase II of the Borse Memorial Community Park Improvement project. 

To date, the permeable paver parking lot is under construction, the western pedestrian path trail has been added, and construction of eight pickleball courts is underway. In addition, a bullpen, batting cage, and synthetic turf warmup area by the ballfields will all be new elements to this phase of the project. The Sawmill Creek streambank restoration will occur this fall/winter as well as the pond enhancement. These two components will enhance the wildlife habitat and natural resources at the park. The pond will have a maximum depth of ten feet and will be able to support a fish population which will be a new element that the park had not previously offered. Phase III of the Borse Memorial Community Park redevelopment will take place in 2025/26.

January 2024 Project Update

Phase one is near completion. The second phase of the Borse Park Improvement Project will begin in late spring 2024.

• Pond and streambank enhancement (Spring 2024)

• Expanded concrete walking path (increase pathway by 0.4 miles, from .0.27 miles to 0.67 miles) (Spring 2024)

• Replacement of current pavilions (Spring 2024)

• Replacement and conversion of the current asphalt parking lot to permeable paver (86 parking spaces) (Summer/Fall 2024)

• Softball game field enhancements (outfield fence, scoreboard, and stands) (Spring 2024)

• Softball field training and warm-up area (Summer 2024)

• Pedestrian bridge over (connecting Eleanor lot to the north pathway in the park) (Summer 2024)

• Tree plantings and beautification (Estimated 40 trees installation – Fall 2024)

August 2023 Project Update

The first phase of the Borse Park Improvement Project will begin with installing the Eleanor Place permeable paver parking lot. This installation will take place in fall 2023.

Additionally, stormwater infrastructure in the park will be replaced and upgraded in the fall following the conclusion of the BRW Fall softball season. These components of the project will enable future phases of the development to occur without major disruptions to park activities.

As part of the feedback received in the Village Parks & Recreation survey, Village staff are excited to propose the Borse Memorial Community Park Improvement Project

If approved by the Board, the Borse Memorial Community Park Improvement Project will include three phases of construction, Phase I will begin in July 2023 and finish by fall 2023, Phase II will begin in May 2024 and finish by fall 2024, and Phase III will begin in May 2025 and finish by fall 2025. 

This project will include the following upgrades:

• New permeable paver parking lot off of Eleanor Place (71 spaces and an estimated 50 trees installation, project estimated for Summer/Fall of 2023)

• Stormwater improvements at Midway and Borse Park (Summer/Fall 2023)

• Pond and streambank enhancement (Spring 2024)

• Expanded concrete walking path (increase pathway by 0.4 miles, from .0.27 miles to 0.67 miles) (Spring 2024)

• Replacement of current pavilions (Spring 2024)

• Replacement and conversion of the current asphalt parking lot to permeable paver (86 parking spaces) (Summer/Fall 2024)

• Softball game field enhancements (outfield fence, scoreboard, and stands) (Spring 2024)

• Softball field training and warm-up area (Summer 2024)

• Pedestrian bridge over (connecting Eleanor lot to the north pathway in the park) (Summer 2024)

• Tree plantings and beautification (Estimated 40 trees installation – Fall 2024)

• Pickleball courts (Summer 2024) 

• New playground with pour-in-place ADA-accessible surface (Summer 2025)

• New Splash Pad (Summer 2025)

In an effort to receive extensive community feedback on the project, the Village hosted two project open houses at the Community Resource Center (CRC) on March 15, 2023, and May 11, 2023. At these open houses, there were several project options presented. Following extensive feedback and comments from the community, Village staff will recommend moving forward with Phase 1 of the project at the May 22, 2023, Village Board of Trustees meeting. 

Moving forward, staff will host several additional open houses regarding Phases 2 and 3 of the project, to be hosted throughout 2023, 2024, and 2025. 

To view a collection of resources for this project, see below: