PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 2018/08/21 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2018
I. Welcome
Director Swarthout welcomed everyone to the Joint Workshop Meeting with the Comprehensive
Park Master Plan Consultant, Hitchcock Design Group.
II. Call to Order
The Joint Workshop Meeting was called to order by Chairman Charlie Kohlmeyer at 6:30p.m. Roll
Call was taken for the Parks & Recreation Board.
III. Introductions
The following individuals were present:
Board Members: Mr. Charlie Kohlmeyer
Mr. Paul Best
Mr. Rich Adams
Ms. Shannon Maguire
Ms. Melanie Walsh
Mr. Steve Reimer
Mr. William Zordani, Student
Friends of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Foundation:
Mr. Mike MacDougal
Mr. Ed Zarek
Mr. Ara Goshgarian
Mr. P.J. O’Neil
Mr. Fred Jackson
Ms. Mary Kay Jaekel
Mr. John Powers
Mr. Steve Malin
Mr. Patrick Marshall
Mr. Patrick Hoch
Staff: Ms. Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mr. Joe Mobile, Superintendent of Recreation Mr. Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Recreation Ms. Dani Spann, Administrative Assistant
Special Guests:
Mr. Steve Konters
Ms. Bridgett Dietrich
IV. Joint Workshop Meeting Review & Discussion
Steve Konters and Bridgett Dietrich from Hitchcock Design Group went over the next steps in the
process and discussed the results of the prioritized needs analysis from the community input and
the last workshop. Mr. Konters went over the preliminary needs and the preliminary strategies that
can be used to address and accomplish these needs over the next ten years.
Preliminary Needs
Provide new and additional recreation amenities of interest and/or need
o Update existing parks and amenities to keep up with trends
o Desired amenities included outdoor performance space, artificial turf, splash pad,
community gardens, boating at Forest Park
Improve accessibility to park amenities
o Parking limitations/lack of paved paths
Align recreation opportunities with the growing active adult/senior population
Expand the trail system and improve connectivity
o Walking, hiking and bicycling trails
Evaluate open space partnerships to align with recreation goals
o Continue to leverage current partnerships or develop new partnerships
Improve awareness of Department parks, facilities, and programs
o Important to improve awareness of ongoing offered programs
o Awareness of open spaces and amenities
Provide additional indoor recreation space
o Evaluate Recreation Center renovation/expansion and upgrade/modernize
o Consider additional space for Kinderhaven
o Feasibility study for Nature Discovery Center expansion or relocation
Preliminary Strategies
Provide additional indoor recreation space
o Renovate Recreation Center to meet short-term needs
o Identify potential public and private partnerships to provide additional indoor
recreation based on results of Indoor Space Needs Study
o Design and build new/expanded indoor recreation facility(s) (based on results of
Indoor Space Needs Study)
Address park distribution deficiencies in underserved areas to the community
o Monitor community use of other outdoor recreation providers to confirm where
there are unmet needs
o Provide active-recreation amenities at appropriate Special-Use and Mini Parks
o Identify land acquisition and land swap opportunities in underserved areas
Improve sports field drainage
o Renovate natural turf fields to improve playability
o Convert existing fields to artificial turf
o Design and construct a new sports complex and repurpose fields in poor condition
Elevate existing recreation assets to meet community expectations
o Implement South Park improvements per 2017 Master Plan
o Improve Deerpath Community Park
o Continue to implement Deerpath Golf Course improvements per Master Plan
o Improve Meadowood Park, Northcroft Park, Triangle Park, Elawa Park and Elawa Farm
Provide new and additional recreation amenities of interest and/or need
o Provide trend-demand amenities at key locations
o Conduct feasibility study to provide outdoor aquatics
Expand the trail system and improve connectivity
o Coordinate implementation with and update the 2014 City of Lake Forest Bicycle Master
Plan
o Provide and improve internal park paths and connections to public paths and existing
trail system
Improve accessibility to park amenities
o Coordinate ADA improvements with park master plans and planned CIP projects
o Improve access to Forest Park Beach for vehicles and pedestrians
Align recreation opportunities with the key demographic groups
o Identify partnership opportunities with Dickinson Hall to supplement active adult and
senior opportunities
o Monitor population increases and demographic shifts
Evaluate open space partnerships to align with recreation goals
o Determine community use of other open space providers
After going over the preliminary needs and strategies, Mr. Konters went over the 10-year action
plan. The first five years are broken down by quarter, starting with the current year. Questions were
asked how the current Master Plans would be incorporated into this action plan. These plans would
be inclusive and be considered a recurring item. The first year shows feasibility studies completed.
Planning and funding years 2-3, engineering in year 4 with anticipated construction beginning in
year 5. The Recreation Center Master Plan and Indoor Space Needs study is corresponding together
to interact and influence each other and the needs going forward.
Mr. Konters went over the current year and the improvements being made with the Deerpath Golf
Course. He mentioned the OSLAD Grant is once again available. He went over the targets for years 3,
4 and 5. The timeline shows Year 3 and 4 starting with the designing of a master plan for Forest Park
Beach. Year 5 is focusing on the Master Planning for a new sports complex with repurposing of
athletic fields, Elawa Farm and Elawa Park improvements. It is recommended after five years to
perform an update on the completed Master Plan and revisit community surveys or look at
comprehensive updates. This document is designed to be a working, living document that will
constantly be analyzed due to changing of current needs. There was some discussion on the
concerns of the feasibility of the 10-year plan along with the space required to achieve the major
improvements. Mr. Konters reminded everyone to actively be looking for opportunities of open
space expansion. The importance of marketing strategies were mentioned to aid in funding. If there
are any additional comments, they can be sent to Joe Mobile or Patrick Marshall.
V. Adjournment
Board member Best motioned for adjournment and Board member Walsh seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:52pm.
Respectfully Submitted
Dani Spann
Administrative Assistant