The Oak Brook Park District has some serious cash heading its way to the tune of a $1.4 million federal grant, as reported by Oak Brook Parks. This hefty windfall is marked for the Ginger Creek Accessible Pedestrian Bridge and Shoreline Improvement project. In the words of Congressman Sean Casten, "I’m thrilled to deliver $1,466,279 in federal funding for the Ginger Creek crossing," underscoring the grant's significance in flushing out the town's infrastructure woes.
More than just a flowing spread of green buffeted by brown during the fall, Oak Brook's Central Park is set for a revamp to the tune of $6 million — as per a story by the Chicago Tribune. On the docket for improvement are pickleball courts, tennis courts, parking enhancements, and, dare we forget, playgrounds that'll take accessibility up a notch, or two.
Bob Johnson, the deputy director, is not one to mince words when it comes to detailing this project. He said, "The rising demand for pickleball, especially outdoors, is the driving force behind the new courts," as stated by the Chicago Tribune. And that's just the tip of this infrastructural iceberg. They've got plans, big plans: eight pickleball courts, improved parking scenarios near the Central Park West building, and a facelift for the age-worn tennis courts that will throw in an additional four courts just for good measure.
The Oak Brook Park District team's eye is firmly on the inclusion prize, as reiterated by Executive Director Laure Kosey: "Our team focuses on inclusion and desires to not only make this bridge safer, but accessible for all."
