Park Project In La Grange Would Cost $1.3M

LA GRANGE, IL – The Park District of La Grange has detailed its improvement plan for Waiola Park in the south part of town.

Last month, the district submitted its application to the state for $600,000 to improve the 3.6-acre park at Waiola Avenue and 47th Street.

The $600,000 would pay for about half of the estimated cost of the nearly $1.3 million project.

The park now contains two T-ball fields, a small soccer field, two half basketball courts, a playground and a walking loop trail.

The plan includes replacing the 27-year-old playground and renovating the 20-year-old basketball courts.

The district also wants to renovate and relocate the two T-ball fields and renovate the loop trail.

Additionally, the district plans to add a shelter with seating, a fitness station and a pollinator garden to bring habitat diversity.

"Waiola Park will encourage not only kids or parents with kids to use the park but also encourage adults and the elderly to use the park and be outside," the application said.

A number of local leaders submitted letters in support of the application. Among them was Michael Buttron, president of the La Grange Little League, which uses the T-ball fields.

Buttron said the park is one of the most important areas on the south side of La Grange, where many children get their "first taste of baseball."

"The cheers and excitement can be heard for blocks, as they fall in love with the game, at our beloved Waiola," Buttron said. "This (state) grant will only enhance that experience, allowing them to enjoy the game on an improved park surface, something we've been looking forward to for some time."

Earlier in the summer, neighbors of the park opposed changes to the layout of the park.

But Jenny Bechtold, executive director of the Park District of La Grange, said in August that a later version of the park proposal essentially kept the park's existing layout. That answered neighbors' concerns about the plan to upgrade the park, she said.