Party To Celebrate Reopening Of Prince Pond In Downers Grove

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — After months of maintenance and improvements, Prince Pond is ready to host its grand reopening celebration July 29. The Party in the Park festivities, which kick off at 4 p.m., will feature fishing and fish-themed arts and crafts, along with snacks for guests.

Prince Pond quietly reopened to the public in June after being closed during the 2021-22 winter season to allow for dredging, walkway maintenance, the addition of new accessible features and other improvements. The pond had been surrounded by construction fencing while it was drained, dredged and allowed to refill naturally with stormwater.

Throughout the project, additional boulders were added to stabilize the shoreline of the pond. The flagstone pathway on the east side of the pond was also rebuilt to make it more stable.

According to Downers Grove Park District, dredging helps clear sediment that builds up on the bottom surface of a pond. Dredging helps improve pond health and restore depth.

Crews also installed concrete ramps with handrails and less steep slopes to replace the sidewalk that formerly connected East Parkway Drive to the park's brick patio. In addition, safety railings were added to the park's patio near the edge of Prince Pond.

What: Party in the Park for Prince Pond Grand Reopening

When: July 29 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Where: Prince Pond, 4941 Linscott Ave., Downers Grove