Shaping the Future of Oak Park Parks
For information on renovations at Austin Gardens, please view the Austin Gardens Current Projects page. Below is information on how the site plan was developed for Austin Gardens.
Austin Gardens Site Master
Plan
The intent of the Austin Gardens Site Master Plan is to develop
a blue print for future preservation, improvement and extraordinary
maintenance at Austin Gardens. Future improvements at Austin
Gardens will be completed with funds from the Park District
of Oak park's Capital Improvement Plan and through the Austin
Gardens Trust.
CYLA Design Associates, Inc. was engaged by the Park District
of Oak Park to develop this plan. The process began with
a programming study consisting of a series of meetings with
residents and representatives of community organizations
who have a particular interest in Austin Gardens. Focus
group meetings were held on October 20, 2004 for Maintenance
and Safety; Aesthetic Character, Trees & Nature; and
Business and Tourism; These meetings proved useful in garnering
comments about the existing
conditions, the problems and positive aspects of the
park as well as engendering ideas and visions for its future.
A Public Information Meeting was held on November 11, 2004
to review the analysis of the site and the feedback gathered
to date as well as seek further input.
Along with the programming study, a detailed site analysis
was conducted, with a complete topographic survey of the park,
a tree survey and photographic documentation.
With the information gleaned from the public meetings and
the thorough evaluation of the park, three
schematic designs were created. CYLA Design Associates
presented the schematic designs to the Board of Park Commissioners
at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on January 13, 2005.
These designs were presented to focus group participants and
were also presented in public meetings on March 1 and March
2, 2005.
On April 7, 2005 at the Committee of the Whole, CYLA presented
the final recommendation. The Board accepted the Austin
Gardens Site Master Plan at the April 21, 2005 Board Meeting.
For more information regarding the Austin Gardens Site Master
Plan, please contact Mike Grandy, Superintendent of Buildings
and Grounds at (708) 725-2050 or mikeg@oakparkparks.com.
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