PROJECT UPDATES
August 14: Join us for the playground ribbon cutting for the renovated Longmeadow Park
Mundelein Park & Recreation District invites press and community members to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the renovated Longmeadow Park on Thursday, August 22 at 6 pm. The ceremony will provide photo opportunities for media representatives and the public. It will include remarks from Park District officials and Senator Dan McConchie and children enjoying the new amenities.
Longmeadow Park is located at 1800 Somerset Lane. Improvements at the park include an ADA-accessible path to the shelter, a play apparatus for 5–12-year-olds, a 2-5-year-old play area, a poured-in-place swing area, half-court basketball, a renovated walking path, a fishing station, a gaga ball pit, renovation of the sand play area, and a woodland walking path cleared of invasive plants.
The District received a matching grant of $400,000 from the Illinois Department of Natural Resource’s Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program to develop the 48.59 acre parcel. The remaining funds came from its Capital and Special Recreation Fund balance.
“We want to thank the Governor, the Illinois General Assembly, and IDNR for allocating funds for the park and recreation industry and awarding our District an OSLAD Grant. Also, we want to thank Senator Dan McConchie for his support,” said Mundelein Park & Recreation District’s Executive Director Ron Salski. “Longmeadow Park was developed in the late ’90s. Now, the park meets accessibility needs, has new playground equipment, a gaga pit, a half basketball court that is out of the parking lot, a new walking path, a fishing station, and a trail through a beautiful wooded area.”
The event is an excellent opportunity for local media outlets to capture images and footage of community members enjoying all the new amenities of the park and will include a free-throw shooting contest for participants in grade 8 or younger at the new half-court.
Members of the press are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony and explore the new park.
July 26: We want to share that the Village will be replacing the Longmeadow Park parking lot sidewalk and apron next week. As a result, the parking lot will be closed while the work is being completed. The specific timing of the work next week is not known. The playground will remain open during this time, and you are encouraged to enjoy the beautiful park. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to improve our community spaces.
July 11: We are excited to announce that we are able to reopen some amenities at Longmeadow Park ahead of schedule.
- The fishing station is open.
- We expect the playground and new Gaga Pit to open on Monday, July 22 (weather dependent.)
- The basketball court will remain closed until striping is complete.
- Most of the Longmeadow walking path should be open Saturday, July 13 (weather dependent). The entire path should reopen July 22 (once the fencing is removed).
- The parking lot will not be open for use until the Village is able to complete paving the apron area of the entranceway and cures for a week.
Thanks to E. Hoffman, Inc. the contractor for this project, for working so efficiently to open the playground ahead of schedule.
May 29: Please note that while parts of Longmeadow Park may look finished, this is an active construction site, and only the contractor, District, and consultants may enter the site while under construction. Once the construction fence is removed, the public can use the park!
Here are a few updates:
- On Tuesday, May 28, the contractor began installation of poured-in-place rubber surfacing underneath the 2–5-year-old play equipment and swings. Once the surfacing is in place, it needs five days to cure.
- During the week of June 3, the contractor will finish installing 5-12-year-old play equipment, install site furnishings at the play area, and install trees, shrubs, and perennials.
- The contractor will finish the remaining concrete areas in mid-June and restore disturbed turf areas. Once the concrete is installed, it needs seven days to cure.
- From mid-June to the beginning of July, the contractor will install an asphalt basketball court, a trail around the park, and a fishing station. Once the asphalt is installed, it needs five days to cure.
- In early July, the contractor will acrylic color coat the basketball court (adding the lines and lane color). Once the color coating is installed, it needs four days to cure.
The District anticipates the park opening in mid-July, but that is weather-dependent. Thank you for your patience; we look forward to opening the park.
April 25: The Longmeadow Park construction is coming along nicely. The park district was informed this morning that they will begin breaking down the old path on the east side of the park today. As we receive more updates from the construction company, we will update you on their progress and an estimated timeline for when the new path will be poured. We thank you all for your continued support as we work as quickly as the weather allows to make improvements to Longmeadow Park.
April 10: Playground equipment was recently delivered to the site and will be installed soon.
Project Overview
This spring we will begin significant improvements to Longmeadow Park, located at 1800 Somerset Lane.
Renovations include:
- Replacing the playground
- Replacing the asphalt path, and walkway to the shelter
- Adding a half basketball court
- Adding a gaga pit
- Adding a fishing station (See location below)
- Create a woodland trail
- Remove buckthorn along path area
Please note that the playground, shelter and parking lot will be closed during construction. We expect to reopen in October. Please check back to this page for updates.
Fishing Station location
FAQs
- How is the project being funded?
- The District received an Illinois Department of Natural Resources OSLAD Matching Grant for $400,000 to assist with the renovation of Longmeadow Park. The District will contribute matching funds through its Capital and Special Recreation Fund balance.
- What is the construction schedule?
- Construction will begin in March or April with Final Completion in October. A fence will be blocking the parking lot and around the playground.
- Why is Longmeadow Park being renovated?
- The playground is over 23 years old.
- The paths are flooding and starting to crack.
- The walkway to the shelter needs to be redesigned to comply with ADA standards.
- The buckthorn has overgrown the wooded area. Through feedback, residents enjoy walking through the wooded area and noted the beautiful trees growing there.
- Residents expressed that they want the basketball court out of the parking lot.
- Will the playground be closed?
- Yes, the playground, shelter, and parking lot will be closed beginning March/April but weather permitting, it is expected to reopen in October. We encourage Longmeadow residents to visit Woodland Park, Mechanics Grove school playground, and/or Asbury Park.
- Are we able to donate the playground?
- The District contacted Kids Around the World and unfortunately, our playground is too old.
- Will the baseball fields be closed?
- No, but the District will be working with the Village to limit parking on one side of the street in a specific area.
- Will we stock the pond with fish?
- Yes, and the District will begin stocking in April. The pond will be stocked with bass, perch, carp, and catfish.
- Whom do we contact with questions?
- Please contact Rob Foster, Director of Park & Facility Maintenance, at 847.388.5463 or rfoster@mundeleinparks.org
Latest updates
Please check back for the progress and latest updates.
