Homer Glen Approves Request For Proposals Of New Playground

HOMER GLEN, IL — Plans for a playground in the new subdivision of The Villas of Old Oak moved forward after the Homer Glen Village Board approved the release of a request for proposals at Wednesday's meeting.

The subdivision is located off of Golden Oak Drive, north of 143rd Street. The subdivision should be completed later this year, according to Board documents.

"We are really excited about this, because we should be getting possession of the land very soon," Trustee Rose Reynders said.

"We've got some new ideas," Reynders said. "I totally approve of this."

The Village will acquire a vacant parcel within this subdivision from the developer, for the purpose of developing it into an inclusive park, Board documents state.

The Village doesn't have the deed of the park property yet, but will soon receive it, Village staff said.

"I'm still very uncomfortable about spending any money on park land that is not deeded," Trustee Jen Consolino said. She asked if the Village could pursue grant funding for the project, and also said she wished to revisit the budgeted amount.

Reynders said they would not be able to pursue an OSLAD grant for this fall, as the Village does not meet certain requirements. She said the Village has to have a deed before applying for a grant, the Village has to have a 5-year future project plan and a comprehensive plan.

There may be other available grants to pursue.

There is $250,000 budgeted for the project. Proposals for the project are due by July 18.

The Board decided to authorize the release for a request for a proposal, but added language that the Village is not yet the titleholder of the property.