Itasca board hears detailed update on Usher Park redesign, timeline and budget

The Itasca Village Board heard a presentation Sept. 17 on a redesign of Usher Park that preserves the park’s historic character while adding new plazas, accessibility improvements and infrastructure for events and winter programming.

The presentation, given by Carrie Ann, a project staff member, said design work is more than 50% complete on construction documents and that the construction start is scheduled for March 11, 2025, weather permitting. “We’re over 15% done with construction docs. Design is wrapping up, and we have most of the design elements, principles, objectives,” Carrie Ann said.

The project team said the plan keeps a “passive park” feel while improving event support, accessibility and connections to downtown. Major changes include a north plaza with pond overlooks and trellis swings, a new south plaza with a children’s sensory garden and picnic areas, an extended path around the pond to provide direct access from Walnut Street and Irving Park Road, and a reoriented, larger gazebo designed to function both as a traditional gazebo and, when…