Patch in the Parks: Carroll, Austin Gardens and Maple

Back in 2005, the sought a referendum that raised property taxes in exchange for the promise of more robust park offerings throughout the village.

Six years and more than a dozen master plans later, renovations for many local parks are either underway or nearing completion with more in store in the future.

This is the second in a that offers a comprehensive look at the progress of the work, and we'll add up the totals for how much the renovations have cost. In other words, it's a look at what your money's been paying for the past several years.

Where: 1125 S. Kenilworth at Fillmore, two blocks west of Oak Park Avenue, one block north of Roosevelt Road.

Size: Approximately 2.48 acres.

History: Carroll was acquired in 1916 and named for Lewis Carroll, the creator of Alice in Wonderland (it was one of four parks purchased that year that was named for children’s authors). The center was originally designed by John S. Van Bergen, an Oak Park architect who worked for a time with at his studio. The northern part of Kenilworth Avenue was vacated by the village in 1960 to expand the park and connect it to the grounds of .

Features: Carroll Center has an office and field house with a restroom and drinking fountain. Carroll Park has a playground, a baseball field and a multi-purpose field. The facilities can be rented.

Work Accomplished So Far: The master plan was finished in 2005 with Phase I work completed in 2007. Improvements included new playground equipment, a drinking fountain, walkways, landscaping, and additional security lighting. The Kenilworth cul-de-sac was rotated 90 degrees to the southwest to gain more play space. Two properties adjacent to Carroll Center on Kenilworth Avenue were purchased in 2008 and 2009 to add more green space. Upgrades were made to Carroll Center in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

Costs to Improve: So far $495,435.

Grants: None.

What’s Next: Phase II site master plan improvements will focus on improving the sport fields, landscaping and installing new fencing along the alley and resilient surfacing for the school playground. That’s all slated for 2013. Estimated cost is $350,000.

Where: 167 Forest Ave., three blocks west of Oak Park Avenue, one block north of Lake Street.

Size: Approximately 3.64 acres.

History: Henry W. Austin, Jr., donated the land for Austin Gardens to the park district in 1947 on the condition that it remain a public park bearing the Austin family name. The district received ownership of the property when Mrs. Austin died in 1954. The has used the park as a performance space since 1975.

Features: Austin Gardens includes a wildflower woodland habitat first planted by members of the League of Women Voters in 1970, pathways and hundreds of trees, drinking fountain and a stage area. A storage facility is located at the south end of the park. Proceeds from an Austin Gardens Trust can be used for extraordinary maintenance and recreational activities. It is currently valued at $443,996.

Work Accomplished So Far: The site master plan for Austin Gardens was completed in 2005 and funded by the Trust for Austin Gardens. Upgrades, which began in 2007, included improvements to the paths, new benches, landscaping, trash receptacles, fencing and an irrigation system for the wildflower area. Lighting and electrical systems were also improved. The improvements were paid for by the park district.

Costs to Improve: So far $317,219.

Grants: None.

What’s Next: A dual-purpose restroom and storage building are expected to be built in 2013 to replace the existing storage facility. Money from the Trust for Austin Gardens or a state grant could help offset the capital dollars used for this improvement.

Where: 1105 S. Maple Ave., on Harlem Avenue. One-half block north of Roosevelt Road.

Size: Approximately 6.98 acres.

History: Formerly railroad property, the park was purchased in 1921. It was originally called Perennial Gardens because of the formal plantings but later renamed for the adjacent Maple Street. A restroom was installed in the center of the park around 1960. Upgrades were made in the early 1980s, in 1998, 2002 and 2005.

Features: Restrooms, one of which is handicapped accessible, two age-appropriate playground areas, two baseball fields, two multi-purpose fields, two lighted tennis courts, walkways, seating, drinking fountain, bicycle racks, and an .

Work Accomplished So Far: The site master plan was completed in November 2007. Phase I started in the summer of 2010 and finished in this spring. Three tennis courts and one old basketball court were removed in the center of the park was landscaped as an open meadow. Two new lighted tennis courts were located on the south end of the park and a continuous walkway was created along the east side to connect the north and south ends. An off-leash dog area, with a water fountain, was added.

Costs: So far, $989,008.

Grants: None.

What’s Next: The restroom will be upgraded in 2012. Estimated cost will be $20,000.