Major changes are ahead for O’Fallon’s Community Park. Here’s an update on progress

Ambitious improvements in the O’Fallon Community Park have begun as work on the All-Abilities Playground is underway, and plans for the new swimming pool and community center upgrades are in the works.

The forecast is promising for all the major changes ahead, said Parks and Recreation Director Andrew Dallner.

“After all the work is done in the next two years, it’s going to be amazing,” he said.

The city has 11 parks, and the heaviest usage is at the Community Park, Family Sports Park and Rock Springs Park, he noted.

In addition to the new playground, the master plan includes replacing the pool, adding space for community gatherings, and more hiking and biking trails.

These upgrades are to enhance the quality of life and meet the needs of the residents, Dallner said.

“It’s about providing the amenities that they want,” he said.

All-Abilities Playground

Where the ADA-accessible playground will be built, in the park’s northwest corner, grading is currently taking place.

Dallner said the equipment should arrive the week of June 19, and then the foundation pieces will be put into place by staff and company representatives. That should take about two weeks.

Once that is done, they will welcome volunteers who would like to help put the rest together. He estimates the entire process will take 5 to 6 weeks.

Playgrounds where children with special needs can play along with others has been a growing movement, and community service organizations and local businesses have contributed to funding.

Mayor Herb Roach said it replaces the aging playground and will be suited for all children.

“An inclusive playground removes barriers between kids, despite any differences, and gives them areas that will allow them to be active, laugh and play, and enjoy some outside activities,” he said.

Most of the costs are being taken care of through the Build O’Fallon Trust Fund. But the city opened it up for outside contributions of time and money, to add features and provide needed manpower.

Sponsorship, donation, and volunteer opportunities are still available. Those interested in getting involved are encouraged to go to www.ofallongives.com.

Three options are presented -- make a financial contribution, sign up to volunteer to help construct it, and for sponsorship of entire playground features for those wishing to give larger amounts.

“I am so pleased by the positive responses that we have received on the new All-Abilities Playground. We are so thankful for all the individuals and groups that have made donations,” Roach said.

A Multi-Use Facility

In an evaluation of conditions at the Katy Cavins Center, Quadrant Design noted existing issues while they were assisting the parks department prepare for short and long-term maintenance.

Their findings were that the center needs a complete overhaul. They identified concerns regarding life-safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, building code related items, and other potential building operation problems.

Immediate needs include the replacement of the accessibility ramp and the installation of a fire sprinkler system.

The center is limited size-wise for events of more than 100-plus people.

Dallner said it has been determined that the amount of work needed for repairs is cost-prohibitive, and it may be wiser to build a new one rather than fix the current one, Dallner said.

“It’s not up to standards,” he said. “If we build a new one, it would be on the other side of Fifth Street.”

City staff discovered a $2.8 million park and recreational facility construction grant was available, and the O’Fallon City Council approved applying for it at Monday’s meeting.

The resolution was preceded by a public hearing where no one objected. The city would be committed to match 25% of $2.8 million, in any combination of cash and in-kind contributions if the grant is awarded.

The money would fund the demolition of the building and for constructing a new facility in its place.

Dallner said he didn’t know when they would know about the grant results, but if they were unsuccessful, the council would have to determine the next course of action.

“We hope for the best. Or else, we’ll have to find a way to fund it,” he said.

Community Pool

The city pool is going to be totally rebuilt and enlarged over the next two years. The current pool, built in 1959, has become inadequate and needs major work. At that time, the town’s population was about 4,000; today it is over 30,000.

The pool also has physical issues that need to be repaired. In addition, the two sets of exit stairs are not ADA compliant and must be accessible with a ramp or handrails to be easily manageable for all pool users. Upgrades to restrooms are also needed, as are locker rooms with amenities.

Dallner said expectations for an outdoor aquatic facility have drastically changed over the past 60 years.

A prepared report by Planning Design Studio stated recreational water has taken a more freeform shape as opposed to the traditional rectangular pools of the 1960s.

It’s common for these pools to have multiple zones that include a zero-beach entry, waterslide plunge areas, moving water such as a current channel or lazy river, inflatable crossing activities and deep-water amenities such as climbing walls, drop slides and diving boards or platforms.

With the upgrades, adults can enjoy the experience and are able to closely monitor their children, the report said.

New lighted walking paths will wind through the park, providing more safety for walkers.

An event space is being developed to include a bandstand.

“In our surveys, people said they want a bigger place to get together. They like to get together. It’s something that’s needed,” he said, citing the success of the annual City Fest that takes place in August.

He said they are close to finalizing the pool drawings, and expect to reveal them in August.

“We’ll be excited to release more of the plans, and people can rally round what’s happening at the park. What we’ve been working on so hard is finally all coming into focus,” Dallner said.

Funding Projects, Grants Awarded

Some of the park projects are among those in the Capital Improvement Plan for 2023-2027, but will not happen unless funding is secured, and in some cases, grant money is available.

In 2021, the park sought input from residents in an online survey, and at public meetings, for the Master Plan, which was released last year. Dallner said it’s important to listen to residents and plan for the growth and future needs of the city.

This year’s budget included Community Park Enhancements (Pool, etc.): $8,000,000; Pickleball Courts: $300,000; and Improvements to O’Fallon Station Plaza: $165,000.

Six new pickleball courts are planned to supplement the existing courts at Hesse Park and improvements to the O’Fallon Station include concrete patio area with sunshade, new entry wall and welcome signage, sunshade covers for an existing patio in rear, and additional seating and amenities.

The Build O’Fallon Trust Fund in 2023 included the Blazier Field turf for $206,000, with half of cost being paid by O’Fallon Township High School; Pool/Katy Cavins Center study for $900,000; and the All-Abilities Playground/Trail project for $1 million.

That year, the top two in the poll findings for the fund’s priority rankings were the pool design and the all-abilities playground.

In March, the parks department received $600,000, the maximum amount available, to help fund the new pool, from an OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

That was part of the state’s $60 million project to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities, and O’Fallon was one of 118 local parks to receive it.

The Metro East Park and Recreation District, which covers Madison and St. Clair counties, has been developing local trails as part of their Greenway Systems Plan.

A series of trail improvements for bicycle usage was identified in O’Fallon’s master plan, and a MEPRD grant was received for a 10-foot wide multi-use path around the Community Park.

“This will be a connector trail for future trails throughout the community,” Dallner said.