As the Park District of Forest Park finishes up designs and prepares to replace the main playground and turf field at the park this fall, some residents are still expressing unease over fee increases and feeling left out of the discussion.
The project will focus on building a new turf field, the main park playground and updates to the area surrounding them. On top of that, an outdoor classroom, game tables and a putting green will be incorporated into the development, which are required for the park district to receive a $600,000 OSLAD grant from the state of Illinois.
“All facilities assisted with OSLAD monies must conform to standards outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,” according to the OSLAD 2026 manual.
Built in the early 2000s and updated in 2013, the park’s soccer fields, playground, and surrounding areas began to show wear and tear greater than that of any of the park district’s pocket parks because of how often locals frequent the facilities.
Contention between some residents and the park district’s board over this renovation project started back in December 2025 when parents of kids in the Forest Park Youth Soccer Association expressed concern about not being able to engage more in the process.
Tensions elevated days after a February meeting when the park district raised the youth soccer group’s rental fee for the turf field from $4 an hour to $25 an hour for the upcoming spring season.
“There is a concern about how the Forest Park soccer league has been handled this last season,” Forest Park resident Elizabeth Frederick said at a June 18 park district board meeting.
Frederick and others who made public comments said they are feeling unheard.
At that meeting, the only updates that were provided on the project were operational: the district is slightly over budget and there is a hold-up on its schedule caused by concern about whether or not they need a sign off on the plans from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD).
“[It] is a huge significant impact on our schedule, but we are waiting to get that in writing, because MWRD has a tendency to do drive bys, and they will stop your project,” said Jackie Iovinelli, park district executive director, of the district being told they do not need to include MWRD in planning.
Once the park district gets that information in writing, Iovinelli said, the district will have a better idea of where the schedule is at. Iovinelli hopes to have the MWRD confirmation at a design meeting this week.
There are no answers on getting a basketball court; however, Iovinelli assured meeting attendees that they have had discussions.
She also wanted residents to know that she is available to answer any questions about the renovations and the parks in general.
“As I’ve said in other meetings, when it comes to the day-to-day operations, feel free to reach out to me,” Iovinelli said. “I have time to take calls. I’ve taken several calls and had some great discussions with residents that have been concerned.”
During the commissioners’ reports, Board Commissioner Betty Alzamora expressed her concern over the board not bringing this up as an agenda item and she was the only commissioner to share the same worries residents are feeling.
“I am disappointed with fee increases being levied on people, in particular, in this month, where the beautiful game is being played in the United States,” Alzamora said referring to the World Cup. “As the daughter of a former professional footballer … soccer means the world to so many of us here, and I do think we need to continue to have this conversation to continue to find ways to make it accessible.”
Emma Bradford is an intern for NEWSWELL CHICAGO through Report for America’s Local News Internship Program.