Dog Park, Pickleball Courts Part Of Proposed Freedom Park Plans

ALSIP, IL — The Alsip Park District seeks feedback from residents regarding proposed plans for the redevelopment of Freedom Park, 131st Street and Cicero Avenue. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16.

The park district is applying for an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Residents will have the opportunity to review concept plans, and ask park district officials questions about the project. Similar grants were also acquired to update Laramie Park, the skate park and the pool.

Proposed plans call for two new play areas, new swings including tot and ADA, two pickleball courts, new picnic tables, a shaded seating area, and 9-hole disc golf course. The Alsip Park District is also adding small and large dog play areas, where pooches can frolic leash free.

The concept is based on a plan developed with the community in 2013 and is essentially the same. The only additions to current plan are a pair of pickleball courts, which weren't in vogue a decade ago but are all the rage now.

"Freedom Park is currently five acres, but the actual site is 22 acres which the park district leases from [the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District]," said Jeannette Huber, director of Alsip Parks and Recreation. "We got the space for a dog park."