Residents split as Orland Park considers splash pad at Evergreen View Park

Orland Park trustees reviewed a conceptual plan for Evergreen View Park and heard strongly divided public comment Monday as they prepare an OSLAD grant application due Sept. 30. The board instructed staff to produce two refined design options — one that includes a splash pad and one without — and to return to the committee with an updated survey and plans before finalizing the grant submittal.

The discussion matters because the village is pursuing a $600,000 reimbursable Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant that requires community engagement; whatever the board submits in the application will largely determine the project scope if the grant is awarded.

At public comment, residents who live adjacent to the park described traffic, safety and character concerns if a splash pad were added. “A splash pad may be a wonderful idea, but not here,” said Leanne Burke, a founding resident of Evergreen View, who told trustees the park’s narrow surrounding roads and existing cut-through traffic would make additional visitors unsafe. Another neighbor, Susan Morris, said she supports many upgrades but was “firmly opposed to adding a splash pad,” citing limited parking, vandalism and maintenance risks and noting larger splash pads in neighboring towns are sited away from residential areas and are gated or have bathrooms.

Other residents and survey respondents supported some form of water feature. Kate Bernhardt, who volunteers with local dog rescue groups, said she is “a hard no on a dog park,” but also urged subtle playground upgrades and more trash and water stations. Parks staff presented the conceptual plan and summarized two neighborhood engagement meetings (54 attendees at the first meeting, nine at a second) and an online survey with 98 responses; staff said about 50% of survey respondents favored a splash pad while meeting feedback was more mixed.

Parks consultant Ray (staff) showed images of a simple ground-level splash pad — “a 20-foot diameter” pad with fountains activated by a button and no filtration — and explained such a system would use potable water that goes straight to wastewater and typically operates seasonally. He also noted the park’s playground and pavilion are already scheduled for replacement (the playground in 2026; the pavilion and swings in the coming year), and that adding restrooms would substantially increase project cost and visual impact.

Trustees asked for more narrowly defined options. Trustee Chelsea Leiblatt suggested a smaller, low-profile water feature or “water table” alternatives that would be less likely to attract regional traffic. Trustee Josie Lawler said staff was leaning toward a modest fountain-style splash pad with fountains coming from grade, which appears least likely to change the park’s look when not in use. Trustee Jesse Healy and others said the neighborhood’s existing traffic and safety conditions weigh against a splash pad at this location.

After discussion the board directed staff to refine two grant-ready concepts (one with a modest splash/water feature, one without), to re-survey residents with those clear options, and to return with updated designs and community input for further consideration at the next Committee meeting. Staff said there will be more public outreach during final design if the grant is approved.

The board made no final commitment to build any particular feature; trustees and staff emphasized the OSLAD application must reflect a community-backed concept. If awarded, the grant is reimbursable and the final scope and construction schedule would be determined later.

Residents who want updates on the plan were told staff will post revised materials and send a follow-up survey; trustees asked for a revised presentation at the next Committee meeting before the grant deadline.