McCollum Park
Located at
Downers Grove, IL
Description
McCollum Park is the flagship park of Downers Grove Park District.
McCollum Park has served as the Park District's flagship outdoor athletic facility and largest recreational park for over 30 years. The 50 acre park contains 2 baseball fields, 2 softball fields, 4 soccer/multi-purpose fields, 6 tennis courts, 8 dedicated pickleball courts, 6 horseshoe courts, 3 lighted sand volleyball courts, 2 lighted basketball courts, a large playground and an 18-hole miniature golf course with concession and restroom facility at the north end of the park. The park also features a 1.2-mile asphalt loop walking path, outdoor fitness equipment, and several wooded picnic areas.
ADVENTURE FALLS SPRAYGROUND, MINI GOLF AND SPORT COURTS
As part of the 2023 McCollum Park Improvement Project, the Adventure Falls Sprayground, Mini Golf and Sport Courts will provide recreation opportunities for visitors of all ages! A phased opening of new and renovated amenities at Adventure Falls began in July.
Now open is the widened and resurfaced perimeter pathway and the renovated tennis and pickleball courts, which feature new energy-efficient LED lighting, 8 dedicated pickleball courts and 6 tennis courts (which can be converted for an additional 8 temporary pickleball courts).
Adventure Falls Sprayground
Coming Soon!
Due to construction delays and unforeseen circumstances, we are anticipating a delayed opening of the Adventure Falls Sprayground, Mini Golf and plaza area. We are hoping to open these amenities to residents before the end of summer, but there is still work to be done. Thank you for your patience as we work with our contractor to complete this portion of the project as quickly as possible.
Hours
Dawn to Dusk except evenings when permitted lighted activity (operational, artificial lighting) is occurring. The park will close immediately after lights are turned off until dawn the following day. No person shall remain in park system unless a permit is granted in advance. Security lighting shall not be considered operational, artificial lighting.
Amenities
- Basketball Court
- Batting Cages
- BBQ Grill
- Concession Stand
- Drinking Fountain
- Horseshoe Court
- Ice Skating
- Lighted Ball Field
- Outdoor Gym
- Pickleball Court
- Picnic Shelter
- Playground
- Restrooms
- Sand Volleyball
- Tennis Court
- Walking Trail
- 18 Hole Miniature Golf Course
- 2 Parking Lots
- 50 Acres
History
The McCollum Park property was purchased by the Park District in 1972 and named in honor of Ted McCollum a few years later. Mr. McCollum was a former Commissioner and volunteer fireman, and helped the Park District acquire the original four parcels of land necessary to develop the community park. It quickly became one of the most heavily used parks in the District, creating the need to acquire additional parcels for expanded park amenities.
Originally constructed in three phases beginning in 1982 and completed in 1985, the park has seen consistent, heavy use while remaining largely unchanged throughout its three decades of use. When completed in the early 1980s, McCollum Park was considered by many as the premier athletic complex in Chicago's western suburbs. In late 2010, the Park District began design development for a major renovation project, to include replacement of the aging ballfield lighting, irrigation, ball field backstops and hardscape surfaces. Construction of the McCollum Park Infrastructure Renovation project began in August 2011 and was completed in July 2012. The project also included the addition of a new restroom and concession building located within the baseball complex "core area," replacement of an under-sized picnic shelter with a new, larger picnic pavilion, and expanding the south parking lot.
Upcoming Improvements/Construction
2023 IMPROVEMENTS AT MCCOLLUM PARK INCLUDE:
- A new sprayground featuring three splash areas for tots, families and teens as well as seating and shade
- Addition of new showers within the existing restrooms
- Renovated tennis/pickleball courts featuring new energy effifficient LED lighting and including a total of 8 dedicated pickleball courts and 6 tennis courts (which can be converted for an additional 16 temporary pickleball courts)
- Renovated plaza area with picnic tables and benches
- Resurfacing and widening of the existing asphalt perimeter pathway
This project was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19 budget constraints.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
- Construction scheduled to begin in August of 2022
- Completion anticipated in summer of 2023
CONCEPT PLAN
Click below to view the current Concept Plan depicting the sprayground and tennis/pickleball layout
