Beloved Couple, Foundation To Lead Overhaul Of Orland's Schussler Park

ORLAND PARK, IL — Two well-known names and athletes will play a big part in the reimagining and redevelopment of a well-loved park in Orland.

The Kendall and Michael Schofield Family Foundation will work with the Village of Orland Park in the improvement and redevelopment of Schussler Park.

Michael Schofield III and Kendall Coyne Schofield were in attendance at the May 15 Village of Orland Park Board Meeting where the sponsorship was announced, and unanimously approved.

An Orland Park native, Michael Schofield III is a former Orland Park Pioneer and Carl Sandburg Eagle who has gone on to play nine seasons in the NFL including last season with the Chicago Bears. Kendall Coyne Schofield is also a former Carl Sandburg Eagle and an Olympic Gold Medalist in hockey. The couple has agreed to a 20-year partnership that will support the 2023 redevelopment turning Schussler Park into a sports hub for the Village.

The primary features of this redevelopment will include a Phase 1 installation of two full-size artificial turf fields on the east side of Schussler park for football/soccer/lacrosse use, including a scoreboard, coaches’ box, bleachers, storage buildings and parking lot improvements. As well as a sledding hill in the northwest corner of the park.

Additional park amenities in the southern side include an inclusive playground, open pavilion, restroom building and half basketball court which will be provided in phase 2.

"We are thrilled to enter into this sponsorship agreement with the Kendall and Michael Schofield Family Foundation." said Mayor Keith Pekau. "Their support will help us provide state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities for Orland Park residents for years to come."

The Kendall and Michael Schofield Family Foundation will be recognized with signage on the athletic field’s scoreboard recognizing the venue as the Michael Schofield III Sports Complex; and a sign near an inclusive playground including life-size cutouts of Michael Schofield III and Kendall Coyne Schofield from youth through adulthood to inspire Orland Park youth to dream big.

"We take great pride in the partnership to renovate Schussler Park," said Kendall Coyne Schofield on behalf of the foundation. "Giving back to the community that supported Michael and I in our growth as athletes and individuals is something that means so much to us both."

The renovated park will become the home of Orland Park Pioneer Football and Cheer, and will provide practice and game fields for the Village’s many youth athletic organizations. Orland Park residents can enjoy the fields for drop-in play when not scheduled for use.

More information on the Schussler Park improvement can be found online.

Well-designed inclusive parks and inclusive playgrounds welcome children of all abilities to play, learn and grow together. To donate to the planned inclusive playground, please email rpiattoni@orlandpark.org.