Athens Park Project Breaks Ground

LEMONT, IL — Local officials recently broke ground at the future site of Athens Park in downtown Lemont, and construction will begin within the coming weeks, Lemont Park District shared.

Congressman Bill Foster, State Representative Nicole La Ha, Mayor Egofske and Village of Lemont Trustees, and Park Board President Bill McAdam and the Park District Board of Commissioners broke ground on the project, which is slated to open in early 2025.

"There will be a slight increase of construction traffic in the downtown district during the weekdays, but we foresee no impact to businesses or residents in the area," the park district told Patch. "As the project continues to develop, please check back at the Park District website for the most up-to-date information regarding the park project."

The project is a partnership between the Lemont Park District, Village of Lemont and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Late last year, the park district selected E.P. Doyle and Sons, LLC, as the general contractor for the first phase of the project. The first phase will feature a playground, dog park, an outdoor entertainment space, large parking lot, walking and biking path, pavilions, naturalized wetlands, pollinator garden, device charging stations and a history plaza, according to the park district.

The vision for Athens Park includes the redevelopment of the former location of the steel swing bridge and Tri-Central Marine Terminal into a park space.