Oak Park Newspaper

report and commentary by Ed Vincent

Wolff Landscape Architecture came to the meeting ready for some heated
discussions on some very debated issues concerning the redo or redesign of
Oak Park's largest park. There was every indication of the meeting running
longer than anticipated and efforts were made to appease all concerned.

Oak Park Park's Superintendent Gary Balling
Begins the Meeting and Sets Goals.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photos

Lindberg Park, which covers almost 14 acres on Greenfield Street between Marion and Woodbine, is the park district's single biggest park. It has several distinct areas, and is dominated by its large athletic fields, including baseball and several sizes of soccer fields. It also has several tennis courts, as well as an offset walking loop with a native prairie garden. The Park is named after Mr. Gustav Lindberg, Oak Park's first Superintendent of Parks. The park before being made into a recreational area was used as a refuse dump for years.

Some of the first topic brought up were parking, drop offs, handicapped parking and why residents on Marion have no parking in front of their homes?? The only answer anyone could come up was it was the status quo.

Drop off locations in the park were spoken about. There was some talk about cut outs in parkway for people to drop off their children. It was noted by the Park Board that the Village would not agree to these cut outs, and they were not popular with the neighbors.

Wolff Landscape Architecture Spokesman, Mr. Wolff Addresses the Residents

© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. video

A LeMoyne resident was concerned about kids already running accross the street during the daytime play and the nighttime would even be more dangerous, and not desired.

There was some discussion about using part of the alley, which is already closed to car traffic. There was a proposal to let cars pull far enough to let kids out and then back into the street. This did not go far with anyone at the meeting. A neighbor gave the history of the alley and its use, noting that it was closed off due to cars traveling down the alley at 30 mph and the Village denied the installation of speed bumps.

Kids safety was noted, concerning night games by many, but no mention was made about Oak Park laws that are not enforced concerning people riding their bikes at night with lights or even reflectors on their bikes.

Soccer Organization Coach tells Residents What the Teams Want and Residents Let Him Know they Don't Want Lights or Astro Turf.

© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. video

The majority of residents wanted the park better maintained, cleaner bathrooms were noted, as well as having the existing walkways shoveled in the winter time. It would also be nice to have the asphalt walks now replaced by cobblestones that many residents have in their backyards, noted several people.

Another Neighbor to the Park Tells the Soccer Organizations they don't Want More there, and the overwhelming majority of residents applaud his views.

© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. video

Handicapped parking with four cut outs would work best if the streets were converted to one way traffic and this would allow the driver to exit the vehicle without entering the street. This idea was presented but again noted that the Village would not allow the cutting of the parkway.

Some residents were concerned that the congestion could be caused by the
Park being overly used By teams.

A no change proposal concerning parking was applauded with comments given about that no action or changes would also be cheaper.

Neighbors said that pathways in the park are poorly plowed in the winter, and asked when they would taken care of in the winter, there was applause.

Soccer teams have complained about loosing any field size to paths for residents to walk on, where there are no current paths. The three or four members of soccer organizations objected to any new walking paths being put into the park.

Neighbors Don't Want a Wrigley Field in the Park, they want the Parks Maintained with the Tax Money.

Slides presented as part of the given discussion.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photos

The red lines show existing and proposed areas for residents to walk on. The right side of the plan has little to no areas existing for paths, these are areas that could be done in cobblestone if desired.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo

Residents spoke about the AstroTurf's high cost of maintenance since stadiums don't have tree with leaves and don't require vacuming of the field to remove leaves and other debris. Dogs could not go onto the fake grass.

People with homes across the street from Lindberg mentioned that kids in SUV's tear up grass a couple of times a year and AstroTurf would be a mess, and would not repair itself like grass does.

Slides presented showing aerial photos above Lindberg park almost 100 years different and now with color.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photos

Asphalt looks cheap and is cheap, cobblestone would add a lot of class to the park.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo

There are many beautiful things to see at Lindberg
park if you take the time to look, relax and
maybe bring a book.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photos

Current Design of Lindberg Park

Latest Questionaire for the Work at Lindberg to Leave Your Views On.

Oak Park Park's Lindberg Park Page

Susan Lindberg Addresses the Meeting on Behalf of Her Family, who the Park is Named After.

<>xxxxxxxxxx

o: Mark Gartland, President of the Park District of Oak Park

218 Madison Street

Oak Park, Illinois, 60302

From: Roger and Susan Lindberg

Eric Lindberg

Kate Lindberg

Karen Lindberg-Klein

Re: Planned Renovation of Lindberg Park

Dear Mr. Gartland,

As the family of Gustaf A. Lindberg, for whom Lindberg Park is named, we feel strongly that no attempt to reduce the wildflower gardens or trees in Lindberg Park should be made. As the first Superintendent of the Park District, from its inception in 1912 until his death in 1941, Gustaf Lindberg dedicated his career and much of his life to the planning and creation of the public park system in Oak Park. He believed fervently in the protection and preservation of green space for Oak Park residents. While Gustaf Lindberg was Park Commissioner, he worked to create the fourteen parks, the community centers, and the Oak Park Conservatory. Through his dedicated efforts, Oak Park became one of the loveliest villages in Illinois. As a horticulturist, the inclusion of trees, plants, and flowers was always foremost in his mind.

As the descendants of Gustaf Lindberg, we often enjoy the tranquility of this park, the magnificent trees which reflect the changing seasons, and the beauty of the wildflowers and foliage.

Fully two thirds of Lindberg Park is currently dedicated to athletics. To even consider reducing the remaining green space comprised of the native prairie plant garden, tree-lined walkways, and quiet places for contemplation, would be a disservice to the man in whose memory Lindberg Park is dedicated and to the community at large. We respectfully request the Park District of Oak Park not to replace these areas with athletic fields, basketball courts, or artificial turf.

Sincerely,

Roger and Susan Lindberg

Eric Lindberg

Kate Lindberg

Karen Lindberg-Klein