Maple Park Nature Play & Landscape Project

START DATE

July 2026

END DATE

Fall 2026

LOCATION

398 Maple Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091

About the Project

Maple Park Project Update

We’re pleased to announce the development of a new nature play area at Maple Park’s east playground. While the main playground was renovated in 2022, the east playground has not been updated and its play structures now require replacement. Drawing on community feedback and the success of similar projects at Wheeler Park and Keay Nature Center, we are transforming the east playground into a nature play area.

Maple Park History

Maple Park is located at 398 Maple Avenue. The 2.1-acre park boasts a main playground, smaller playground (east playground), outdoor tennis court (lined for pickleball), picnic area and outdoor basketball court.

The main playground was completely renovated in 2022 with a focus on older children, with a small section dedicated to younger children. The east playground and surrounding landscaping remained untouched until now.

The Inception of the Project

Since 2023, Wilmette Park District has been working through a set of landscape plans for all Wilmette Park District parks. These plans as well as community and Park Board feedback have inspired a number of additional improvements, including the incorporation of additional play features in our parks. Paired with our commitment to sustainability, the installation of nature play spaces was an easy decision to move forward with, and Maple Park is next in line!

Planning Goal and Outcomes

The goal of the Maple Park Nature Play and Landscape Project is to refresh the park’s useful life with native plantings and nature play elements – and to help connect children to nature. The existing east playground will be removed and the current landscaping cleared to make way for the new nature play space and landscaping.

We are drawing inspiration from River Trail Nature Center’s two interactive nature play areas in Northbrook, IL. Our design and features will vary based on available materials. Several declining trees in the Park District and Village of Wilmette are scheduled for removal; these will be repurposed for the new play area at Maple Park. Our team will then design, build and install the nature play features. The surrounding landscape will also be improved to complement the updated space. Additionally, the Park District will install a split rail fence along Maple Avenue and line the play area’s perimeter with in-ground timbers to contain mulch and maintain a tidy appearance.