ABOUT gelwicks PARK

Located on Walnut Avenue south of Ogden Avenue on the northwest corridor of Downers Grove, the Gelwicks Park property is easily accessible by I-355 and I-88. Previously known as Walnut Park, Gelwicks Park was acquired through two past land purchases--4.8 acres in 2008 and 14.8 acres in 2015. At the north end, the property currently features one soccer field and a small picnic pavilion with a gravel parking lot. The south end features an additional 4.8 acres scattered with mature coniferous and deciduous trees adding visual interest, and has a few large open lawn areas where two former houses once stood. The site is mostly undeveloped land featuring a mowed path, which connects to the Belmont Prairie and buffer.

COMMUNITY INPUT

Over the last decade, Downers Grove Park District has gathered input from the community regarding the development of this site. Community feedback has been collected through a needs assessment (2017), public open house (2017), stakeholder interviews (2017) and focus group discussions (2013). This past input indicated a high demand for an indoor sports facility featuring artificial turf and other recreation amenities.

Community-wide Survey

In 2020, the Downers Grove Park District began work on a long-term master plan for the Gelwicks Park property. The process kicked off with a community-wide survey, which was conducted in December. This survey indicated a high desire for the following amenities: Walking & Biking Trails, Multi-purpose Space, Sports Training & Performance Space, 100x60 Yard Synthetic Turf, Tennis Courts, a Playground and Dog Park. The District is also committed to preserving and protecting the natural areas adjacent to the Belmont Prairie and buffer by providing new nature-based education opportunities at the request of community members.

View the 2020 Survey Summary

Board Presentation

On Sept. 16, 2021, District staff presented a draft preview for the long-term master plan with conceptual drawings to the community and the Board of Commissioners at a public Board Workshop. The presentation was live streamed through Zoom and is now available online for viewing.

VIEW THE BOARD PRESENTATION

"Plan Your Park" Open Houses

The District hosted three open houses in 2021 (Sept. 28, Oct. 6 and Oct. 9) for residents to preview the long-term master plan and conceptual drawings proposed for Gelwicks Park. District staff were available for questions, welcomed feedback and gathered additional ideas from the community. Staff also provided a site walkthrough for those interested. Feedback forms were available for visitors to complete following the presentation.

View the 2021 Open House Feedback

ENVISIONING THE FUTURE

Since the beginning of 2021, the Downers Grove Park District has worked with the design team at Wight & Company to create conceptual design plans for the site at no cost to the District. These initial renderings and site plans will help the community to envision the future of the site and possible amenities it could offer.

The initial proposal incorporates a majority of the recommended and desired indoor and outdoor recreation amenities as well as nature-based recreation opportunities, including an interpretive pavilion. Additional native landscaping would complement Belmont Prairie at Gelwicks Park and provide a sound buffer and privacy for the homes of nearby residents.

The District anticipates the long-term master plan for the Gelwicks Park property to be implemented over numerous years and a series of phases.

VIEW PROPOSED MASTER PLAN

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIOns

VIEW THE BOARD PRESENTATION

Indoor Recreation Phase: Athletic Dome & Sports Complex

Volleyball
  • 155,000 square foot athletic dome
  • 100 x 65 yard synthetic turf that can be configured for:
    • Soccer
    • Football
    • Lacrosse
    • Rugby
    • Little league practice
    • 30,000 square foot convertible conference zone that can configured to accommodate:
      • 4 Full basketball courts
      • 8 Practice basketball courts
      • 8 Volleyball court
      • 8 Pickleball courts or tennis courts
  • Dividable space for meetings, events and expos
  • Walking/running track
  • Gymnastics studio
  • Sports medicine suite
  • Training/sports performance space
  • Locker room and restrooms
  • Cafe/snack bar
  • Administrative office
  • Parking
  • Landscaping (residential buffer, bioswales and rain gardens)

Outdoor Recreation Phase

Soccer
  • Synthetic turf featuring two fields with flexible configuration to accommodate:
    • Football
    • Soccer
    • Rugby
    • Lacrosse
    • Field hockey
    • Softball
    • ADA accessible playground and splashpad
    • Walking/running path connecting to Belmont Prairie and buffer
    • Outdoor restrooms

Nature & Prairie Phase

Monarch
  • Improve and expand trails throughout the prairie buffer
  • Interpretive signage along paths
  • Nature pavilion
    • 5,000 square feet
    • Indoor/outdoor flexible multipurpose space
    • Restrooms
    • Office
    • Parking

HELP PLAN YOUR PARK!

Community input is a vital component in developing new recreation amenities to meet the current and future needs and desires of residents living in Downers Grove. The Park District invites the community to attend an upcoming Plan Your Park Open House to preview the concepts and give feedback as we continue the long-term master planning process for the Gelwicks Park property.

COMPLETE THE FEEDBACK FORM

What's Next

  • Utilize community feedback to make revisions to draft plans developed by Wight & Company.
  • Feasibility study conducted and presented to Board of Commissioners.
  • Long-term master plan finalized.
  • Additional community engagement opportunities and updates along the way!