Hibbard Park – OSLAD Grant Project

Hibbard Park OSLAD Grant Project - Update

Updated 11.20.25

We’re thrilled to announce that the Early Childhood Center Tot-Lot is officially open!

After months of renovation, our community’s youngest adventurers have a fun new place to play, climb and explore. The ECC Tot-Lot is open for Early Childhood Center students during school hours and open to the public in the evenings and on weekends.

Come and explore the newest playground in Wilmette, designed with imagination, movement and joy in mind. We can’t wait to see you there!

Visit our BLOG for more information on the entire project.

About the Project

Hibbard Park History

Hibbard Park is located behind the Community Recreation Center on the corner of Glenview Rd. and Skokie Boulevard. The robust 8.3-acre park includes baseball fields, skate park, tennis courts (also lined for pickleball), a playground, a tot lot, walking path, and open space.

The Inception of the Project

The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Program is a state-financed grant program that provides funding assistance to local government agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and open space.

In August 2024, after receiving community feedback via survey, the Board of Park Commissioners requested parks staff finalize features for the OSLAD application in September.

The official application was sent in early September and Wilmette Park District received notice in December that we were awarded $600,000 for the project in 2025.

Planning Goal and Outcomes

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 persistent drainage issues.
Wayfinding signage, helping visitors navigate the park with ease.

Documents and Downloads

Project Timeline

July 2024

Community Survey to determine the needs and improvements at Hibbard Park

August 2024

Board Meeting to discuss and finalize OSLAD Grant Applications specifications with Board of Commissioners

September 2024

OSLAD Grant Application submitted

December 2024

Awarded $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant.

May 2025

Kick-off meeting for project.

June 16

Project Begins. Phase 1 begins with work focused on the pickleball courts, north baseball field and new path.

June 30

Demo on Tennis Court and North Baseball Field structures concludes.

July 14

Fencing and backstop construction begins on North Baseball Field

July 21

Fencing and backstop installation is in progress, and the base for the new pickleball courts has been laid and is curing.

August 2025

Fencing and backstop installation continues to progress. Shelters have been erected. Tot-Lot Playground removal begins.

August 25

Pickleball courts have cured, and the contractor is applying pickleball court lines.

September 5

Pickleball Courts being laid. Walking Path installed. Tot-Lot foundation work begins.

September 16

Pickleball Courts lined. Shelters and fencing constructed. Walking path laid. Tot-Lot equipment delivered and beginning installation.

October 1

South Baseball Field renovations have begun, the Early Childhood Center Tot-Lot equipment is being installed and should be completed by the end of October. The pickleball courts are nearly complete, and the contractor is applying pickleball noise reducing fencing.

October 31

A "soft opening" of the Tot-Lot is scheduled for the first week in November for ECC families. The Tot-Lot will open to the general public in mid-November.

November 20

We're thrilled to announce that the Early Childhood Center Tot-Lot is officially open!

Updates

Project Details

Photos: Before

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Hibbard Park – OSLAD Grant Project