Hoffman Park development project takes a step forward

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CARY – Plans for an $800,000 improvement project at Hoffman Park are moving forward, but construction on the new amenities likely won’t start this year.

Designs call for an off-leash pet play area, picnic shelter, fishing pier, nature observation deck overlooking the pond and wetlands, trails, an entry road, parking lot and restrooms. The project, which is funded in part by a $391,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, still is in the preliminary engineering phase.

Contracts for construction should go out to bid this winter, and work could begin on the project in the spring, said David Raica, director of planning and development at the Cary Park District.

Several green features also are planned, including community gardens, creation of an open meadow and native prairie habitat, bio-swale technology and solar lights, and two small windmills to power pond aeration and other park utilities.

Although plans for the park’s northern 42 acres already have been set, some neighbors questioned the planning process and said they felt left out of the loop.

“Is anybody aware of this? Is this what the community really wants?” said Cary resident and park neighbor Heather Khoury. “I think more people need to be aware of what is going on.”

She said another neighbor went so far as to collect signatures for a petition to stymie the development.

Park District Executive Director Steve Cherveny said he heard about some concerns after meeting with residents who lived near the park this year. However, he said he thought most of the issues had been addressed. He encouraged those with concerns about the development to contact the park district.

Information and updates about the park also are available on the park district’s Web site, www.carypark.com.

In preparing for development of Hoffman, park district officials consulted long-term planning documents, public input and surveys from residents to guide their decisions, Raica said. Officials also held information sessions outlining the designs and invited residents and those living nearby to attend.

“I think we’ve been very proactive,” Raica said.

Amenities such as the dog park and further trail development have been on the community’s wish list for years. In fact, a 17-member dog park task force was formed to help craft and decide where to put the facility, Raica said.

Construction could be completed next fall.

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