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Trustees approve Evergreen View Park concept without splash pad; neighbors urged caution on pickleball
Summary
The board approved a conceptual plan for an OSLAD grant application for Evergreen View Park that explicitly excludes a splash pad; residents and trustees voiced concerns about potential noise and parking from pickleball courts.
The Orland Park Board of Trustees voted to approve a conceptual plan for the village’s 2026 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant application for Evergreen View Park that does not include a splash pad.
Trustee Lawrence moved to adopt the conceptual plan that excludes a splash pad; the motion passed unanimously on a roll-call vote. Trustees authorized the village manager to execute related contracts subject to village-attorney review.
Several nearby residents spoke during public comment asking the board to reject a splash pad and to limit other amenities that could increase noise and parking pressure. Cheryl Johnson, who said she has lived in Evergreen View for more than 20 years, said she reviewed survey results and that the splash pad was unpopular. "There are much better locations for a water feature, such as Centennial Park," Johnson said, and she asked trustees to vote against placing a splash pad in the neighborhood. She also urged the board to consider reducing the proposed number of pickleball courts from two to one to limit noise and preserve the park’s peaceful character.
Another resident, Dan Pullman, told trustees his home is close to the park and asked that the board study impacts on congestion, noise and parking for neighbors if courts are installed.
Trustees and staff noted an existing state grant for Dugan Park remains on track and emphasized that the Evergreen View conceptual approval moves the village forward with grant planning without committing to a splash pad. Trustee Healy asked about a $600,000 grant for Dugan Park; staff responded that Dugan Park’s project qualifies and the grant remains in place provided the project scope exceeds the grant threshold.
The conceptual approval allows staff to include the selected plan in the village's OSLAD application and proceed with further planning and grant submissions; trustees emphasized continued engagement with neighbors on design details and operational impacts.
