Hibbard Park – OSLAD Grant!

Exciting news for the Wilmette community! The Wilmette Park District has been awarded a transformative $600,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources through its Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program. This significant grant, combined with a $890,600 cash match from the District and a generous $10,000 donation from the Wilmette Baseball Association, brings the total investment in Hibbard Park’s redevelopment to an impressive $1,500,600.

Hibbard Park is about to receive a long-awaited upgrade, with plans crafted to enhance accessibility, recreation, and community enjoyment. The project team includes Upland Design Ltd., civil engineers from Engineering Resource Associates (ERA), and Illinois licensed surveyors from JLH Surveying LLC. These experts will guide the development of construction documents, permitting, bidding, and administration to bring the vision to life.

Community feedback played a pivotal role in shaping the project’s scope. During 2024, the Park District gathered input through two public meetings at Hibbard Park, two surveys generating 491 responses, and presentations at Committee of the Whole (COW) and Board meetings. This collaborative effort ensures the improvements reflect the needs and desires of our community.

Construction is slated to begin in spring 2025, with completion anticipated by October 2025. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Six new pickleball courts replacing the two existing tennis courts, providing a vibrant hub for players of all ages.
• A 16’ x 16’ picnic shelter which will greatly enhance summer programming at this park central to our seasonal activities.
• A new ADA-compliant water fountain offering dual drinking fountains, a bottle fill station, and a dog fountain.
• A 6-foot-wide concrete path improving accessibility with a safe, interior loop free of car traffic.
• Renovated baseball fields with updated fencing, dugouts, benches, bleachers, and shade structures—plus solutions for drainage issues.
• Wayfinding signage helping visitors navigate the park with ease.

But that’s not all! The park will also bloom with new pollinator gardens featuring native plants and educational signage, aligning beautifully with the District’s Comprehensive, Strategic, and Sustainability Plans. These enhancements underscore our ongoing commitment to creating a greener, more inclusive community space.

Stay tuned for more updates and project details! Visit Hibbard Park Project Page to explore the project master plan and survey results. We can’t wait to share Hibbard Park’s exciting transformation with all of you!