Bensenville, Ill. (January 31, 2024) —The Bensenville Park District will receive an award of a $570,100 grant from the State of Illinois’ Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program as announced the Governor’s Office. The award will help fund the upcoming renovation of Sunrise Park.
“Receiving the OSLAD grant is transformational for the Bensenville Park District and the community we serve,” says Executive Director Joseph Vallez, noting the project is one of many capital improvement projects planned for 2024-25 as part of the Bensenville Park District 2.0 capital plan. “The improvements to Sunrise Park will enhance the quality of life for those in our district, allowing those of all ages and abilities to enjoy new opportunities to get out and play at this renovated space.”
The program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will distribute nearly $55 million in state grants for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities.
The proposed Sunrise Park improvements include redevelopment of the playground, a futsal court, two pickleball courts, half-court basketball, two soccer fields, a new pollinator/butterfly area with interpretive signage, site furnishings, walking paths and turf restoration. In addition, the proposed accessible play area will provide opportunities for children of all abilities to play in the park. The accessible walking paths and the poured-in-place rubber surfacing will provide equitable access to the recreational amenities available at this location by providing accessible routes to the playground, soccer fields and courts. The master plan was developed by Des Plaines-based JSD, Inc.
“On behalf of the Bensenville Park District and the residents we serve, we are grateful for the support of the State of Illinois, our legislators—Senate President Don Harmon and State Representative Norma Hernandez, residents and partners for making this possible,” says Board President Rich Johnson. “Together everyone achieves more, and we are excited to get started on this project in earnest.”
The $1.1 million Sunrise Park project will commence in 2024 and should be completed over the course of a year. The project is one of many planned as part of the Bensenville Park District 2.0 capital improvement program that contains approximately $5 million in community investment directed at neighborhood parks and facilities that directly benefit the populations of Bensenville and Wood Dale the district serves. Past projects include the completion of the Breiter-Palm Park playground and fitness trail in 2022 and playground construction at Arbor Park in 2023. An update on Bensenville Park District 2.0 is planned as part of the Board of Commissioners meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 21, at the Deer Grove Leisure Center, 1000 W. Wood Street, Bensenville.
Sunrise Park, located at the intersection of Memorial and Marion Streets, consists of 7.3 acres of land. The park has a picnic area and shelter available for rentals between May 1 and September 30 in addition to the improvements to the park planned for 2024.
