Oak Forest Wish List: Splash Pad, Restaurants, Tax Reduction

OAK FOREST, IL - The city of Oak Forest has nice homes, bustling businesses, fun yearly events and access to easy transportation.

But no city has everything, and residents weren’t shy about letting us know about what could be added to make the town just about perfect.

“Oak Forest is great. But we could really use a __” was a recent statement made on the Oak Forest Patch Facebook page. Readers responded with a wide-ranging set of ideas. Nothing was too small or too grand for discussion.

A splash pad, more restaurants, a community pool, more mom-and-pop shops and a tax reduction were the most common responses among the more than 100 who answered.

“Keep the money in Oak Forest,” was a popular response that generated several likes.

An additional, quieter, downtown area was suggested by Keely Absher, who thinks a Trader Joe’s in particular would be a great addition.

“I think we need a quaint, but modern downtown area. I know the ‘build up’ is always around Cicero and 159th, but I personally think these streets are an eyesore (with the exception of the train station, but it's annoying to get in and out of there). I think a great downtown area would be on Central between city hall and the high school.”

Stephanie Naeges was the strongest champion of small businesses on the lengthy thread.

“We need more small businesses in Oak Forest!” she wrote. “They're important to our economy. The money spent there will circulate back into oak forest a few times. They pay taxes bringing money back into the county and they don't outsource like big corporations!”

A community pool, upgraded park district with a fitness center and programs found in neighboring communities is a want for Patricia A. Mullen.

Penny Paul Siwinski replied in agreement, noting that some adult fitness classes “beside Jazzercize” would be a plus for the community.

Not every response was serious, naturally.

Off-the-wall suggestions included “3 Mattress Firm stores,” “a strip club” and “a Trump statue.”

But the call for a Portillo’s to replace the public library topped the cake.

What would you like to see in Oak Forest? Let us know in the comments below.

Photo: Oak Forest City Hall / via Google Maps