Project Background
In 2019 the Park District conducted a GreenPrint 2024 Review and Amendment, which expressed the need for a multi-purpose facility as well as the need to address West Ridge Center to provide flexible programming space to better serve the community with youth and adult programming, and an opportunity for a gymnastics studio.
The Park District started the design process for a new community center at West Ridge Park to replace the existing West Ridge Center in 2022. The plan to build new on the southeast section of West Ridge Park is supported by a preliminary planning assessment completed in 2023.
In 2024, the Park District of Highland Park was awarded $1.4 million through the Park and Recreational Facilities Construction (PARC) grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to support elements this project including a gymnastics gym, multi-functional dance room, and youth enrichment space. The PARC grant program provides funding for park and recreation facility construction projects.
In Spring 2025, construction started on the new Recreation Facility at West Ridge Park. The New Recreation Facility is located southeast end on West Ridge Park and will be home to a multi-use recreation facility featuring a gymnastics gym, a multi-purpose dance room, flexible classroom spaces, and a multi-purpose community room. The surrounding event lawn, enrichment courtyard, and relocated safety village offer opportunity for indoor/outdoor program experiences.
In Fall 2025, construction will begin on a new 90-foot base-length ballfield which will replace the existing field on the southwest side of West Ridge Park. The new ballfield will be the District’s first 90-foot base-length field and will support a variety of ages from youth up through adults.
Project Renderings
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Schematic Design Plans
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PROJECT UPDATES
STAY UP TO DATE ON THE LATEST RENOVATIONS
November 26, 2025
Building:
There is heat in the building and drywall in the gymnastics gym has started to go up. Much of the ongoing work will wrap up early December – including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins, brick veneer, exterior wall assembly, and sprinkler pipes.
With those efforts completed, the team will finish installing drywall throughout the rest of the building.
Ballfield:
The rain has interrupted the installation of the underdrains, but that work will pick up in the coming weeks.
November 26, 2025
November 7, 2025
Work on the ballfield took center stage this week!
The field has been fully graded and crews are working hard at installing the storm drain and underdrains.
In the coming weeks, framing and concrete work will begin for the spectator seating areas.
At the building, crews are wrapping up the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins. Installation of insulation, brick, and composite siding is also moving along steadily.
With colder weather on the way, the team is making preparations to keep construction on track through the winter season.
November 7, 2025
October 27, 2025
Brickwork on the West side of the building is well underway!
Crews are also making great progress on installing the composite siding.
Inside, rough-in work for the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems continues, and interior wall framing is now about 80% complete.
Looking ahead, crews will begin framing and forming the concrete for the ballfield’s new spectator and player seating areas. Installation of the underdrains will also continue over the next few weeks.
October 27, 2025
October 27, 2025
Brickwork on the West side of the building is well underway!
Crews are also making great progress on installing the composite siding.
Inside, rough-in work for the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems continues, and interior wall framing is now about 80% complete.
Looking ahead, crews will begin framing and forming the concrete for the ballfield’s new spectator and player seating areas. Installation of the underdrains will also continue over the next few weeks.
October 27, 2025
October 17, 2025
The project is making significant progress on the exterior wall assembly!
This week crews began laying the brick for the exterior façade and completed the trash enclosure wall.
The entry vestibules are taking shape as well.
Inside the building: Crews continue roughing in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, while making substantial progress on the interior wall framing.
Out in the field, crews are wrapping up grading. Installation of the underdrains begins next week.
October 17, 2025
October 6, 2025
We hit another exciting project milestone today! Two of the four mechanical units were delivered and lifted onto the roof, a major step forward in the building’s progress. The units are set into mechanical wells, keeping them hidden from view, for a clean, finished appearance.
Check out the video to see the crane in action as it carefully places each unit on the roof.
Inside the building, crews continue roughing in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, while making steady progress on the exterior wall assembly and interior wall framing.
Up Next: In the coming weeks, crews will begin installing the brick veneer on the building’s exterior. On the west side of the project site, crews will focus on drainage installation and grading for the ballfield.
October 6, 2025
September 26, 2025
Installation of the wall assembly is underway and will continue in the coming weeks.
Rough-in work for the building’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems is also progressing.
Coming Up:
Crews will begin installing the brick veneer, and demolition of the ballfield is scheduled to start next week.
September 26, 2025
September 22, 2025
This month, the Park District Board of Commissioners approved the construction for a new 90-foot base-length ballfield at West Ridge Center.
The new ballfield will be the Park District’s first 90-foot base-length ballfield and will support a variety of ages from youth up through adults. This field will replace the existing ballfield on the southwest side of West Ridge Park.
The ballfield scope includes grading, drainage, and underdrains to support the natural turf grass and skinned infield ballfield. The scope also includes player and spectator amenities like standard accessible player seating and spectator seating.
The Park District is excited that this field will expand its capacity to reach a diverse age group, that it will be accessible, and significantly improve the drainage at the field.
September 22, 2025
September 22, 2025
The road is back to normal!
This week, crews are busy continuing to install the roof system, roughing-in interior mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, and framing the exterior walls.
September 22, 2025
September 12, 2025
Last month, crews focused on underground utilities. This month, the action has moved to the roof!
A crane is on site, the roof system installation is underway, and crews are also framing the exterior walls.
Next up: rough-in work for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
Concrete work is nearing completion as well.
The building floor has been poured, and both the west and east sections of the roadway are complete. The remaining middle section is scheduled to be poured next week.
Thank you for your patience as we work through these roadway disruptions!
September 12, 2025
September 2, 2025
Over the next few weeks, they will frame and pour the rest of the building floor and the roadway.
To keep the roadway open, concrete pours will be done in sections. Each section will need a few days to cure before moving on to the next.
Thank you for your continued patience!
September 2, 2025
September 2, 2025
The concrete truck and crews are on site!
Crews are starting to pour the floor for the new gymnastics’ gym, dance room, and the sidewalk.
Check out a video here and a few photos are included below.
Gymnastics Gym
Dance Room
Sidewalk
September 2, 2025
August 25, 2025
Despite a few weather-related and unforeseen delays, progress continues.
The underground utility work is now complete, and concrete work will take place over the next few weeks.
To keep the road open, concrete pours will be done in sections. Each section will need a few days to cure before moving on to the next.
Thank you for your continued patience!
August 25, 2025
August 15, 2025
Thank you for your continued patience while the utility connection work at Ridge Road is nearing completion!
The construction team is targeting to have the sidewalk and roadway concrete poured next week. Once complete, the sidewalk will re-open and the roadway will be back to normal.
As for the building – work continues on the roof parapet wall and roof blocking.
The concrete floor will be poured in the coming weeks.
August 15, 2025
August 11, 2025
Underground utility work is in full swing!
Work along Ridge Rd. is expected to wrap up this week. Thank you for your patience.
On Tuesday morning, crews will be working in the southern lane of the front drop-off area where cars typically exit. The patron parking lot will remain open and the ADA spaces in the drop-off lane will still be available. If you need to use the drop-off lane, please enter and exit from the north side. This work is weather dependent, while we do our best to schedule construction activity, crews may need to adjust the schedule.
August 11, 2025
August 6, 2025
Starting today through early next week, there will be temporary impacts to Ridge Road due to water main and sewer work.
What to expect:
– Ridge Road will be down to one lane during working hours
– The sidewalk on the west side of Ridge Road, in front of the park, will be closed temporarily.
Thank you for your continued patience through construction!
August 6, 2025
July 25, 2025
The sub-contract has rescheduled the work to Monday, July 28. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience. On Monday, July 28, contractors will begin installing underground utilities in portions of the West Ridge Center parking lot. The lot will be closed Monday morning starting at 7:00 am. The lot will reopen late in the afternoon once crews are done, likely around noon. Construction will continue over the next few weeks in phases, with sections closed off one at a time. Please use extra caution and be mindful of ongoing construction activity.
July 25, 2025
July 24, 2025
Contractors will begin installing underground utilities in portions of the West Ridge Center parking lot. The lot will be closed Friday starting at 1:30pm. The lot will reopen late in the afternoon once crews are done, likely around 4pm.
Construction will continue over the next few weeks in phases, with sections closed off one at a time. Please use extra caution and be mindful of ongoing construction activity.
July 24, 2025
July 23, 2025
Contractors were expected at the lot on Wednesday morning to begin saw cutting and excavating for underground utilities. But unfortunately, they did not make it. This work will be rescheduled for later this week. Crews will primarily work in the early morning hours. The team is doing their best to avoid closing the lot, thank you for your patience.
July 23, 2025
July 1, 2025
In just a few weeks the structural steel has been erected! It’s exciting to see the framework and scale of the building in the park landscape.
In July, crews will be working on framing the upper walls and parapets as well as installing the roof.
July 1, 2025
May 19, 2025
Progress from the ground up!
Here’s a bird’s-eye view of the foundation and piers framed and poured. From this vantage point you can see the shape of the new building. This is the last chance to see the full footprint of the building before it’s backfilled and hidden from view. Structural steel is expected to be delivered early June.
May 19, 2025
May 9, 2025
The construction team is busy working on the foundation for the new West Ridge Center building. Crews continue working on framing and pouring concrete for the footings, foundations, and piers.
In June, a crane will arrive on site to erect the structural steel.
Check out the cement truck in action!
May 9, 2025
April 10, 2025
Demolition of the baseball field is complete and site grading is ongoing.
Next week, crews will begin excavation and framing for the new building foundation. Excavation and framing work will continue through early May.
April 10, 2025
March 31, 2025
Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, the south parking lot will be closed through mid-day for restriping.
The new parking lot striping will better accommodate the temporary parking configuration through construction. Cars should enter and exit from the north side of the lot. View the new configuration below (click to enlarge).
Site grading is expected to begin later this week once demolition is complete.
March 31, 2025
March 31, 2025
Demolition has begun!
This morning, contractors removed the athletic field light poles and the backstop.
Check out the video!
March 31, 2025
March 21, 2025
Construction fencing has been installed!
Thank you for your patience as we get started with construction at West Ridge Park. On Wednesday, March 26, the south portion of the south parking will be closed, and traffic will be limited to construction vehicles only.
Patrons must enter and exit from the north side of the lot. Once the weather allows, the lot will be restriped for the new configuration.
In the meantime, please be patient and pay attention to the signage guiding the temporary traffic flow.
March 21, 2025
March 14, 2025
The construction trailer was delivered this week and the fence line was laid out with stakes. The construction fence installation has been rescheduled to next week. Contractors will continue mobilization efforts in preparation for construction, including installation of tree protection fencing and erosion control measures.
In the coming weeks, the Park District will implement a new parking flow for the south lot. The Park District will post an update announcing the adjusted traffic flow for the south lot in addition to directional signage. In the meantime check out the construction map for an idea of where the fencing and patron parking will be.
Thank you for your patience as the project transitions into the construction phase.
March 14, 2025
March 7, 2025
Construction Starting Soon!
Next Week (March 10-14):
Construction fencing is expected to be installed. Parking in the south lot will remain as-is through the end of next week.
In the coming weeks, the Park District will implement a new parking flow for the south lot. The Park District will post an update announcing the adjusted traffic flow for the south lot in addition to directional signage. In the meantime check out the construction map for an idea of where the fencing and patron parking will be.
Thank you for your patience as the project transitions into the construction phase.
March 7, 2025
February 3, 2025
January 17, 2025
On Wednesday evening, the Park District took a big step toward- implementing the New Recreation Facility at West Ridge Park.
The Park Board of Commissioners took action at the Park Board Meeting on January 15, 2025, to approve the contract amendment and guarantee the maximum price to construct the New Recreation Facility at West Ridge Park. This action provides the green light for the Construction Manager to award contracts. Over the next few weeks, the Park District will work closely with the project team to validate the construction schedule. Construction is expected to begin in March. More detailed information will go out in early February with schedule information and what to expect. There is no change to ongoing programs at West Ridge Center.
January 17, 2025
January 3, 2025
Over the last month, the project team has been busy reviewing the bids received for the New Recreation Facility at West Ridge Park Project. Bids will be reviewed by the Park Board in January. If awarded, construction could start as early as March 2025. Programs at West Ridge Center will continue uninterrupted through 2025. More information will go out to the community and program participants in early February. Construction of the new facility is anticipated to be completed by Spring 2026. Please check out the FAQ page for more information.
January 3, 2025
October 27, 2024
The project is out to bid! Bids will be accepted through Thursday, November 14 at 11am. View more information on the Bid.
What is next?
The Park Board of Commissioners will review bids in December.
Details regarding the construction schedule will be released in early 2025.
Construction of the new facility is anticipated to begin in March 2025 and be completed by Spring 2026.
October 27, 2024
August 1, 2024
After the community meetings in May, the Park District shared the same exhibits with the City Plan and Design Commission and went through the City approval process which reviews the project with particular attention to the exterior appearance of the building and zoning.
On Monday, July 29, the City of Highland Park City Council approved a special use permit and zoning map amendment for the new recreation facility at West Ridge Park project. This approval follows the design review approval from the Plan and Design Commission on July 16.
The Park District is concluding the design phase for the building and related site work and is on track to bid and award the construction contract by the end of the year. Design for the athletic fields and park elements will conclude design in 2025.
Thank you again for the those that provided feedback in May and attended public hearings as part of the City approval process. Your feedback is used to inform design and operations.
Below is a summary of the reoccurring comments heard.
• We heard from many of you who are excited and appreciate the project to address the West Ridge Center
• We heard an interest in adult programing.
• We heard positive feedback on the updated drop – off loop
• We heard an interest in views from neighbors
• We heard that there is a concern about the drainage in the fields
August 1, 2024
June 5, 2024
On Thursday, May 30, the Park District hosted a community open house to share schematic design plans for the new recreation facility and site improvements project at West Ridge Park.
We want to extend our thanks to the 20 community members who joined us and provided valuable feedback that will help in the continued development of the design.
If you have any questions and/or comments, please contact [email protected].
There will be a public hearing at City Hall at the June 18th City of Highland Park Plan and Design Commission meeting.
Click here to view the plans shared at the May meetings.
June 5, 2024
May 29, 2024
On Thursday, May 23, the Park District hosted a meeting with the direct neighbors of West Ridge Park to discuss the new recreation facility and site improvements project, and to review schematic designs.
We want to extend our thanks to the 20+ neighbors who joined us and provided valuable feedback that will help in the continued development of the design.
If you were unable to attend, there will be another community meeting this Thursday, May 30, between 5-7pm. The plans shared at the May meetings will be posted on the website on May 31.
May 29, 2024
May 16, 2024
This week, the Park Board of Commissioners reached consensus on a refined schematic design for a new recreation facility and site improvements at West Ridge Park. The schematic design plans are within the District’s budget and prioritize recreation programs that support community needs and interest. The schematic design for the new recreation facility and site improvements at West Ridge Park will be shared with the community at two upcoming meetings. See above for up-to-date meeting information.
May 16, 2024
April 11, 2024
Park District staff shared a progress update at the April Facility and Recreation Committee meeting on April 10, 2024.
Park Board Commissioners provided feedback and requested additional information from the design consultants. They also asked to postpone the project’s community meetings until this information is provided.
April 11, 2024
March 18, 2024
In March 2024, the Park District of Highland Park began hosting internal stakeholder meetings to collect feedback to influence the schematic designs.
March 18, 2024
January 11, 2024
In January 2024, the Park District of Highland Park was awarded $1.4 million in PARC grant funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
January 11, 2024
June 15, 2023
The Park District of Highland Park submitted a grant application requesting $2.8 million from the Illinois Department of Natural Resource’s Park and Recreational Facilities Construction (PARC) grant program to help fund the New Community Center at West Ridge Park.
June 15, 2023
May 7, 2023
On May 6, 2023, the Park District of Highland Park held a Community Open House to share preliminary concept plans with the community to collect cares and concerns about the proposed project.
May 7, 2023
June 14, 2022
In early 2022, Holabird and Root was hired by the Park District to study options (renovate or build new) for West Ridge Center.
In June, a Preliminary Planning Study was completed for West Ridge, recommending building a new facility on the southeast portion of West Ridge Park, and demolishing the existing building once construction is complete. See the results here.
June 14, 2022
