The document outlines a presentation on conceptual plans for Centerpoint Park, emphasizing the need for improved park design, programming, and safety features based on community input. It highlights proposed enhancements such as active recreational areas, multi-modal access, and the addition of picnic shelters and fitness trails, all aimed at revitalizing the park and making it more functional. Various conceptual plans, including the Deer Run, Mississippi, and Neighborhood concepts, were presented, detailing existing features to maintain and new features to incorporate.

1. Presentation of Conceptual Plans
Date: February 24, 2010
y 4
Doug Hammel
Dena Hicks

2. Today’s Meeting
 Review of Programming Meeting
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 Presentation of 3 Concept Plans
 Selection of a preferred concept plan

3. What we heard
 Current park design doesn’t work
 Active recreational uses
 Slow‐pitch adult softball fields
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 Parking
 Junior High soccer fields
 Bike/Pedestrian trails
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 Improve pedestrian safety along Deer Run and around
playing fields, including lighting
 Improve drainage between residential area and ball fields
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 Screening between park and residential area
 Incorporate a fitness trail and interpretive trail
 Provide for picnic shelters and storage space for maintenance
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equipment

4. The Vision for CenterPoint Park
 Improve the quality and vitality of the park
 Enhance the larger park system
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 Improve multi‐modal access and safety
 Capitalize on previous investment
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 Provide flexibility in park spaces
 Balance today’s needs and tomorrow’s
opportunities

5. The Vision for CenterPoint Park
Design themes
 Flexibility = activity
 Make interesting “places” within the park
Make interesting places within the park
 Build a park that works within existing
properties, and…
 Plan for potential expansion opportunities
 Appropriately relate program elements
 Manage parking access and layout
 Establish a design theme/identity

6. Th P k S
The Park System
Local Connections :
 Lloyd Erickson Park
 El ood Communit School
Elwood Community School
 Little Park/Downtown

7. The Park System
Local Connections :
 Lloyd Erickson Park
 El
Elwood Community School
d C i S h l
 Little Park/Downtown
Regional Connections :
 Midewin National
Tallgrass Praire
 Abraham Lincoln
National Cemetery

8. C k i
Common park program items
 Definable spaces
 Connections to regional open space
 Lighting/safety infrastructure
 Fitness stations
 Interpretive trail
 Prairie landscaping and/or preserve
 Picnic facilities
 Entry feature and park theme
Example of a defined space
Concessions Fitness Stations Interpretive Trail

9. C t li i
Conceptualizing
the Park
the Park
 Northern Extension
 Central Area
 Southern Area

10. Deer Run
Concept

11. D R C t
Deer Run Concept
Northern Extension

12. Deer Run
Concept
Central Area

13. Deer Run Concept
Southern Area

14. Deer Run
Concept
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Future Opportunities

15. Mississippi
Concept
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16. Mississippi Concept
Mississippi Concept
Northern Extension

17. Mississippi Avenue
C t lA
Central Area

18. Mississippi Avenue
Southern Area

19. Mi i i i
Mississippi
Concept
Future Opportunities

20. Neighborhood
Concept

21. hb h d
Neighborhood
Northern Extension

22. N i hb h d C t
Neighborhood Concept
Central Area

23. N i hb h d C t
Neighborhood Concept
Southern Area

24. N i hb h d
Neighborhood
Future Opportunities

25. Di i f t
Discussion of concepts
Key questions
1. What specific design concepts or elements do you find
desirable?
2. What general orientation should the park have?
3. How active/passive should various parts of the park be?
4. What is the relative importance of various program
elements?
5. What potential long‐range opportunities seem appropriate?

26. Deer Run
Concept

27. Mississippi
Concept
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28. Neighborhood
Concept
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29. Deer Run Concept
Deer Run Concept
New Park Features:
Existing Park Features to Remain:  Park entry feature from Deer Run
 Maintains two existing softball  __’ of new pedestrian trail
fields
e ds  Contoured park landscape
 Jr. High soccer fields  Performance space
 Picnic areas and play area
 Parking (reduced and
 Storage/concessions
integrated into plan)
 Lighting
 Pedestrian trail  Landscape improvements along
 Preserves woodland area north Deer Run Rd.
of the fire station  Integrates parking into park
design
 Maintains bermed screening of  Interpretive trail
Hoff Rd.  Fitness stations
 Prairie Restoration
P i i R i
 Landscape and screening

30. Mississippi Ave. Concept
Existing Park Features to Remain: New Park Features:
 Park entry feature from Mississippi
 Maintains one existing softball Ave.
field
ed  Contoured park landscape
 Jr. High soccer fields  __’ of new pedestrian trail
 Relocates one softball field
 Flexible open space  Performance space
 Pedestrian trail  Pi i
Picnic areas and play area
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 Storage/concessions
 Preserves woodland area north
 Lighting
of the fire station  Landscape improvements along Deer
 M i i b
Maintains bermed screening of
d i f Run Rd.
R Rd
 Integrates parking into park design
Hoff Rd.
 Interpretive trail
 Fitness stations
 Prairie Restoration
 Landscape and screening

31. Neighborhood Concept
Existing Park Features to Remain: New Park Features:
 Park entry feature from Mississippi
 Maintains both existing Ave.
So tba e ds
Softball fields  Contoured park landscape
 Jr. High soccer fields  __’ of new pedestrian trail
 Relocates one softball field
 Flexible open space  Performance space
 Pedestrian trail  Pi i
Picnic areas and play area
d l
 Storage/concessions
 Preserves woodland area north
 Lighting
of the fire station  Landscape improvements along Deer
 M i i b
Maintains bermed screening of
d i f Run Rd.
R Rd
 Integrates parking into park design
Hoff Rd.
 Interpretive trail
 Fitness stations
 Prairie Restoration
 Landscape and screening