Which Algonquin Parks Could See Improvements In Next Year?

ALGONQUIN, IL — New playgrounds, improvements to a tennis court in town and the addition of a pickle ball court are among the upgrades planned in the coming months at parks in Algonquin.

More than $1.6 million is earmarked for the improvements in the 2023-2024 capital budget, which is expected to be presented to the Algonquin Village Board during a Tuesday night meeting. Among the projects, if approved by the village bardo, that the village could tackle include:

• Replacement of the playground equipment at Holder Park, 1040 Timberwook Lane. Village officials are also looking to replace the fence around the ball field at the park. The project is expected to cost $475,000.
• Redesigning and repurposing the severely failing tennis courts at Kelliher Park on Square Barn Road and converting the courts in two side-by-side pickle ball courts. The courts are expected to be similar to those at Stoneybrook Park, with $45,000 in funds set aside to fund the project.
• Completion of the playground replacement project at Snapper Park, 599 Longwood Drive, Algonquin. Village officials have allocated $100,000 in funds for the project.
• Reconstruction of the tennis courts at Willoughby Farms Park, 2001 Wynnfield Drive, with $110,000 needed to fund the project.
• Replacement of the playground at Wood Park, 3711 Persimmon Drive. A total of $300,000 has been allocated for this project.
• The village has allocated $80,000 to finalize a project meant to extend the reach of Woods Creek between just north of Woods Creek to a point just east of Rock River Court. This restoration project will be similar to those completed upstream and will include bank stabilization, opportunistic tree removal, re-establishing the native vegetation, and inclusion of cross vanes and rock riffles to improve habitat.

Village revenues, which pay for park improvements, include funds from the village's home rule sales tax, video gaming terminal tax receipts, video gaming push tax and telecommunications tax. The village also uses open space lands acquisition development grants to fund some of its park improvement projects and inter-fund transfers from the natural area and drainage improvement fund.

The Algonquin Village Board is set to meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at village hall, 2200 Harnish Drive. The public is allowed to comment during the audience participation portion of the meeting.

More via the village of Algonquin's online agenda and packet