Northbrook Park District Seeks Public Input On Master Plan

NORTHBROOK, IL – Local residents will have the opportunity to play a role in helping update the Northbrook Park District’s Master Plan that officials said will help determine the direction the park system moves in the next five years and beyond.

Park District officials announced recently that residents can provide input on the park district’s 10-year plan by participating in an upcoming community meeting or through an online portal that will also allow residents to give their opinion on what they would like to see from the system in coming years. The park district is also offering a survey of local community members that will also guide the thinking of the park district as it attempts to come up with a blueprint of what the future will look like for the system, officials announced.

Officials said that among the improvements currently going on are golf course renovations and clubhouse construction at Heritage Oaks Golf Club (formerly Sportsman’s Country Club), which came as a result of resident input. That facility is expected to reopen later this summer.

The community meeting is scheduled to take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on May 12 at the Techny Prairie Activity Center, which is located at 180 Anets Dr. in Techny Prairie Park and Fields. Check-in for the meeting will begin at 5:15 p.m., officials said, and will include industry experts from Hitchcock Design Group.

The meeting will include an explanation of the Master Plan and residents will have the chance to voice their opinion about potential park system improvements and system offerings over the next 10 years, officials said. The meeting will also include a brainstorming session.

In addition, the park district is also offering residents the chance to give their opinions on an online portal that will be open until May 28. Like with the meeting, residents can provide input on current park system programming and facilities as well as what they would like to see happen in the coming years. The portal is accessible at nbparks.org or at this site.

A random mailed survey will also be going out in coming days to help provide feedback. Park district officials will not know who is receiving the survey but are encouraging those who receive a copy of the survey to complete it either online or by filling out the survey and returning it in the mail.

“I am excited to conduct this latest review of the Comprehensive Master Plan and hear what the public has to say. We are continually looking for new and innovative ways to serve the community through recreation opportunities,” Park District Executive Director Molly Hamer said in a news release.