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Collinsville reviews Willoughby Farm master plan focused on access, preservation and phased improvements
Summary
City staff and a consultant presented a master plan for Willoughby Farm that prioritizes preserving 30+ acres of wooded trails while adding accessible circulation, a children’s discovery zone and a proposed multipurpose building; council members discussed phasing and how new amenities might affect the farm’s character.
Jordan, a parks planning presenter introduced by Parks Director Kimberly Korn, gave the Collinsville City Council a condensed overview of a master plan for Willoughby Farm, which the city acquired in 2018. The plan emphasizes protecting roughly 30 acres of largely untouched woodland and simplifying an existing, confusing trail network while adding accessible circulation and destination amenities.
Jordan said the team used site inventory and community engagement — including stakeholder meetings and an online survey — to shape proposals ranging from trailhead connections and parking to a children’s discovery garden, updated animal enclosures and new wayfinding. "We began with site inventory and analysis," Jordan said, noting constraints such as steep topography and insufficient parking that shaped the design.
The plan’s most visible built element is a proposed multipurpose building sited south of the farmhouse; Jordan described it as roughly 7,800 square feet in the master plan but called the size flexible. He said the design intent is to keep a low profile so the building "relates to the architecture of the farm" and does not dominate the historic setting.
Council member Seaton raised a common concern about balancing revenue-generating uses with maintaining the farm’s character. "Phase 5 seems more important to me than phase 3," Seaton said, arguing prairie restoration, trail repairs and small attractions preserve the site’s identity more than a large event venue would. Jordan and Korn responded that the multipurpose building could also provide needed office and storage space for staff and that phases could be reordered depending on funding or volunteer projects.
Ballard King and Associates provided the financial and operations analysis for the plan; the consultant recommended setting a cost-recovery goal and developing a program pricing process to guide rentals and other revenue. Jordan said a full build-out of the plan could raise the park’s cost-recovery rate from an estimated 16% closer to 34%, depending on which elements are implemented.
Staff outlined a five-phase approach with Phase 1 focusing on access improvements (widening parts of Willoughby Lane, adding a paved accessible loop, and playground upgrades) and later phases addressing utility upgrades, infrastructure renovations (including HVAC and farmhouse repairs), and softer elements such as prairie restoration and a covered bridge.
Korn said the city will incorporate council feedback and bring a formal adoption item back to a future meeting. She also reminded council members of public engagement steps that informed the plan, including surveys where residents prioritized improved animal habitats, updated playground equipment and ADA-compliant paths.
The presentation concluded with staff saying the plan offers opportunities to leverage grants, volunteer projects and phased capital improvements to balance preservation with new amenities. The council thanked presenters and encouraged continued public input before formal adoption.
