State Grant To Help Fund $1.2 Million Upgrade To Lake Shore Park

OAK LAWN, IL – Lake Shore Park is in line for a major update thanks to a State of Illinois grant. The Oak Lawn Park District received a $600,000 match grant as part of the most recent round of Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grants.

The project at Lake Shore Park, 9610 E. Shore Drive, will feature a new pollinator-themed playground with structures for 2- to 5-year-olds, a zip line, rock climbing boulder, and a “we-go-swing.” The other amenities will also include:

• Resurfaced tennis and pickleball courts
• Updated asphalt walking path with new Story Walk stations
• New “Bankshot” accessible basketball game with hoops at various heights
• New outdoor classroom and lake overlook complete with a ping-pong table
• New butterfly garden and interpretive signage with native plants and wood steppers
• Fitness Zone with adult fitness equipment, shade/seating area, and drinking fountain
• New game patio with ribbon shade structure that includes baggo, music play, and painted games.
• Painted games area with three types of hopscotch

“We are ecstatic to be including a lot of the amenities that were brought to us from community feedback,” Tom Hartwig said in a news release, executive director for the Oak Lawn Park District. “Lake Shore Park is a beautiful area that sits tucked off 95th St., and we can’t wait for people to visit with all the new features.”
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded a total of $55.2 million to 100 communities for local park development projects as part of the latest round of OSLAD grants.