Doerhoefer Park
Located at
Downers Grove, IL
Description
Since the 1960s, Doerhoefer Park has served the Downers Grove Park District as one of its flagship facilities for outdoor athletics. The District's Board of Park Commissioners dedicated the park in 1971 during the Park District's 25th anniversary celebration, and named the park for Edward J. Doerhoefer, a former Park Commissioner and Board President.
Doerhoefer Park offers visitors a variety of active recreation opportunities under lights, including baseball and softball fields; football, soccer and lacrosse on a synthetic turf field; and basketball, tennis and pickleball courts, all lighted for evening use until 11 pm. The park also features ADA accessible playgrounds for tots and children aged 5-12, as well as seating areas, concession services and a .39 mile loop walking path.
PARKING
Parking is available in the east lot from Saratoga Avenue, the north lot from Venard Road, angled parking spaces along Venard Road, and now in the new south parking lot accessible from Venard Road. The new 57 car south lot features permeable pavers, which allow storm water to pass through the surface and into the ground below the parking lot. It also features a new "drop-off" plaza and pathway, linking it to the ball field core area and synthetic turf field. Parking is not permitted on Saratoga Avenue.
Hours
Dawn to Dusk except evenings when permitted lighted activity (operational, artificial lighting) is occurring. The park will close immediately after the lights are turned off until dawn the following day. No person shall remain in park after closing unless a permit is granted in advance. Security lighting shall not be considered operational, artificial lighting.
Amenities
- Basketball Court
- Batting Cages
- Concession Stand
- Drinking Fountain
- Lighted Ball Field
- Pickleball Court
- Picnic Tables
- Playground
- Restrooms
- Softball/Baseball Field
- Synthetic Turf Field
- Tennis Court
- Walking Trail
- 14.02 Acres
Upcoming Improvements/Construction
2022 Improvement Projects
Doerhoefer Park Tennis/Pickleball Courts:�The existing courts were resurfaced in 2014; however, issues related to poor drainage and groundwater have caused cracking in the court surface. The Doerhoefer Park courts will be resurfaced this summer with new acrylic color coating, and will continue to feature 2 permanent outdoor pickleball courts.
Doerhoefer Park Irrigation Replacement:�The current irrigation system on the Doerhoefer Park ballfields was installed in 1999, and has required numerous repairs in recent years. A new irrigation system would provide an opportunity to increase operational efficiency by including new web-based monitoring and control, and water efficiency through the use of flow sensors or other technologies.
