The Downers Grove Park District is embarking on a journey that focuses forward.
In the coming months, a new vibrant plan for the future of the Park District will emerge through engagement and input gathered from the community. Residents will share their vision for the District as we conduct a community-wide needs assessment, including a resident survey and public open houses throughout the summer and fall. Input gathered from stakeholder interviews, public open houses and community surveys will assist in the development of the District’s new 10-Year Master Plan. This master plan will clearly define our route and guide us in improving programs, parks and facilities to meet the recreational needs of the community.
For over 70 years, the award-winning Downers Grove Park District has offered exceptional park and recreation experiences to the community. With nearly 600 acres of parks and facilities, there are thousands of opportunities for individuals of all ages and interests to grow, play, imagine and explore.
Our Mission
Enriching our community through natural area preservation and exceptional recreation, parks, and facilities that inspire memorable experiences.
Our Approach
The Downers Grove Park District Park & Recreation Master Plan maximizes community input, pairing it with both Park District staff’s knowledge and experience and our team’s resources and expertise. Our approach, organized into four phases, will provide a high-quality, flexible plan for the future of the Downers Grove Park District. Through over twenty years of facilitating successful community engagement processes as part of many planning assignments, we have developed and adapted our outreach program to include community dialogue at all levels and through various mediums. Each program is tailored to a community’s individual character and unique goals in a process that is creative, logical, and participatory.
A successful Park & Recreation Master Plan requires both an experienced, multi-disciplinary team and community insight. Your feedback is important as we envision the future of the Downers Grove Park District.
Check back regularly to find out how you can participate in the Focus Forward process!
Project Lead
The Lakota Group specializes in Park and Recreational Master Plans, Comprehensive and Strategic Master Plan, Community Engagement, Implementation Strategies, Landscape Architecture, & Historic Preservation. Learn more
ETC Institute specializes in the design and administration of market research and statistically-valide surveys for governmental organizations.
Gewalt Hamilton Associates is a multi-disciplinary organization providing comprehensive services in the fields of Civil Engineering, Land Surveying, Construction Engineering, Traffic Engineering and Transportation Planning, Traffic Data Collection, and Environmental Consulting.
Heller and Heller is synonymous with innovation in the Parks and Recreation Management field and provides strategic planning services, recreation program assessments, operational assessments, and organization culture / change management services across the US.
Dewberry Architects provides a full complement of services in architecture and interior design. Their collaborative team of professionals includes experts in programming, design, sustainability, production, and construction administration.