Each year, the Downers Grove Park District allocates capital funds for park and facility improvement projects as part of the annual budgeting process. The following is a list of capital projects considered for 2022.

Patriots Park - Pedestrian Bridge Replacement: The existing pedestrian bridge at the east end of Barth Pond is currently in poor condition and due for replacement. In 2020, the District's engineering consultant began the design and permitting process. This project was issued for public bid in 2021, and installation of the new bridge is scheduled to take place in spring of 2022.

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.

Recreation Center HVAC Replacement: The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system at the Recreation Center consists of the sixteen (16) separate Carrier RTU's (Roof Top Units) that were installed during the original building construction in 2003. The original RTU's are approaching nineteen years old and are at the end of their useful life. The Capital budget includes funds for the removal and replacement of the Recreation Center HVAC System with anticipated completion in late summer of 2022.

McCollum Park Sprayground & Tennis Improvements: This project includes a new sprayground, renovated tennis/pickleball courts with new LED lighting, a renovated concession plaza, new park shelters, and resurfacing and widening of the existing asphalt perimeter pathway. This project was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19 budget constraints. The District recently reapplied for a grant funded through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Construction will begin this summer with completion anticipated in summer of 2023.

Dunham Place Playground Replacement: The current playground at Dunham Place Park was installed in 2003, and has required numerous repairs and replacements in recent years. Anticipated for fall 2022, the District will remove the existing play equipment and install a new ADA-compliant playground, and also replace the mulch safety surfacing.

Walnut Park Master Plan: In 2021, the District hosted open houses and gathered community feedback on the draft master plan developed by Wight & Company. In early 2022, a feasibility study will be conducted by an outside consultant and presented to the Board of Commissioners, to determine if it is financially feasible for the District to move forward with the project. If the decision is made to move forward, the master plan will be updated as well as the concept drawings.

District-wide Indoor Facility Condition Assessment: For a number of years, the District has recognized the need for an assessment of the current condition of all components within the District's buildings and facilities. A condition assessment study will evaluate all architectural and structural components, mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing, life safety systems, and security systems. The study will then provide a report including typical useful life, estimated remaining useful life, estimated replacement costs for future budgeting, and final condition rating for the components within each building.

1925 Curtiss Street Demolition: Located in Sterling North Park, the District plans to demolish the vacant house and garage structures, backfill the foundations, and restore the site to turf grass.

ADA Improvements: The FY2022 budget includes funds allocated for accessibility improvements within our existing parks and facilities, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 2022, approximately $100,000 is budgeted for correcting deficiencies at various locations as identified in the District's current ADA Transition Plan.