Homer Glen Hires Planner for Former Woodbine Golf Course

HOMER GLEN, IL - The Homer Glen Village Board on Wednesday hired Planning Resources Inc. to create a master park plan for the former Woodbine golf course.

Planning Resources, Inc. was chosen from 18 firms that submitted proposals for the project, and three that presented earlier this month before the board.

The village will spend $78,900 for the park plan, which is projected to be completed by Oct. 31. During its presentation earlier this month, Planning Resources, Inc. initially said it could complete the plan by August.

Since the village bought the Woodbine golf course, banquet hall and clubhouse in December 2013, residents have expressed excitement about possibilities for the 103-acre site at 14240 W. 151st. St.

The former banquet area and clubhouse is currently being renovated into the new village hall, allowing officials to move out of leased space in the shopping center at Founders Crossing and Bell Road. The village hall, which will also have a community room, is on schedule to be completed by June 15, Mayor George Yukich said.

In the past two years, residents have asked the Village Board for a wish list of recreational amenities on the golf course land. Residents have requested fields and practice space for youth sports, walking paths, playgrounds, a skate park, an amphitheater and facilities that are suitable for young children as well as senior citizens.

During its presentation earlier this month, representatives of Planning Resources Inc. told the board that workshops, focus groups, open houses and Internet surveys with the public will be held over the next several months so that residents can tell them what they want in the future community park.

One of the key components to the park plan is to solve its flooding problems by creating community fishing ponds and detention basins, and by restoring wetlands on the site.

Planners told the board a "village green" or common area for movies in the park, festivals and other events, could be incorporated into the master plan to make the village park a destination place. Nature-themed playgrounds, climbing walls and a veterans' memorial are also ideas planners presented to the board.

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