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Shaping the Future of Oak Park Parks
Ridgeland Common
Ridgeland Common is the Park District’s most popular and heavily used recreation facility featuring a 6.06 acre park site with two lighted ball fields and a 35,000 square foot building housing the Ridgeland Common Pool, Fred L. Comstock meeting room and the newly dedicated Paul Hruby Ice Arena. The temporary Dog Park/Dog Park Plus has been located at this site since January 2006. And you can’t forget the ever-popular sled hill south of the ball fields.
Visitors & Users
Approximately 40,000 to 55,000 patrons visit the outdoor pool annually, depending on the weather, and 10,000 to 12,000 individual pool passes are issued. During public skate hours, approximately 12,000 skaters utilize the ice arena and 900 children participate in the Learn to Skate program. Ridgeland Common also serves as “home ice” for both the Oak Park River Forest High School and Fenwick High School hockey programs. The rink is converted to an indoor soccer arena in the spring and summer serving adult soccer leagues, youth soccer lessons and is the headquarters of the Park District’s well-attended Sports Camp. The ball fields are also a very popular destination for adult softball leagues and participants in the Oak Park Youth Baseball and Windmills Programs.
History
This facility was commonly known as the “Old Cricket Grounds,” when it was purchased in 1912 from Charles B. Scoville for $135,637. The park was designed by noted Landscape Architect Jens Jensen. In 1962 the existing building at Ridgeland Common was designed by local Architect Jack Barclay with an outdoor pool and open outdoor ice rink which was covered with a roof in 1965. The Chicago Blackhawks used the Ridgeland Common Rink as a practice facility at that time. It wasn’t until 1982 that the rink was fully enclosed. Major pool renovations were completed in 1995 when the pool showed signs of serious aging.
Recent Findings
At the time the Infrastructure Study was completed throughout the park system in 2001-2002, the estimated cost to renovate Ridgeland Common was over $450,000. In the winter and spring of 2007 the firm of Thompson Dyke & Associates (TD&A) completed an existing conditions study for Ridgeland Common.
The Park Board accepted the findings of TD&A in June which indicated the Park District’s flagship facility is physically and functionally obsolete, requiring extensive renovation within a 5-year time span at an estimated cost of over nine million dollars. Basically it has outlived its useful life. TD&A recommended that the Park District continue to maintain Ridgeland Common until a new facility is constructed, developing a master plan involving the community and conducting a feasibility study for all new proposed facilities.
The Park District of Oak Park values public input and feedback. To provide input or for further information regarding the Ridgeland Common Facility & Site Plan, please contact Diane Stanke at (708) 725-2022 or dianes@oakparkparks.com
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