$425K Grant To Help Park District Redevelop Constitution Park

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Plans to revamp Constitution Park are materializing thanks to a $425,000 grant the Downers Grove Park District received from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant will be matched at 50 percent by the park district, with the aim of the Constitution Park project wrapping by the end of 2024.

The grant was among close to $60 million in grants supporting projects at 118 parks throughout Illinois, a news release said.

The improvements to Constitution Park are set to include:

• Expanded playground
• Wheelchair accessible playground equipment
• Playhouse for preschool children
• Tricycle path
• Picnic center with electricity
• New walking paths linking the park to Webster Street's sidewalk
• Additional seating area with bench swings for adult use

Constitution Park spans just over five acres near the intersection of Maple Avenue and Main Street. The park got its name in 1987, when local students picked it to take the name "Constitution Park," which had been suggested by officials to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of the village's constitution.

Paul Fyle, Director of Planning and Construction for Downers Grove Park District, told Patch, "We are excited for the opportunity to improve this heavily-used park space. Constitution Park serves as a neighborhood park for many residents in downtown Downers Grove, as well as supporting Park District programming at the Lincoln Community Center, such as pre-school, summer camps, and our Active Adult Center. The planned improvements will provide new amenities and expanded recreation opportunities for all Constitution Park users."