Grant to help add amenities at McCollum Park in Downers Grove

A $600,000 state grant will help the Downers Grove Park District complete the latest round of renovations for one of its most popular recreation destinations, McCollum Park, which has unveiled fresh attractions each of the past two years.

“We are hoping to be ready to go out to bid the project this fall so that construction can start in spring of 2026,” said Paul Fyle, director of planning and construction for the district.

In addition to building a new shelter that adds seating, along with providing the comfort of shade at sites within the park, a major component will be a new playground chock-full of features. Playground construction is expected to last a couple of months, Fyle said, adding, “We’re mostly working within an existing playground [footprint, requiring] less site work and excavation and grading.”

The playground, last updated in 2005, will receive a significant upgrade to enhance recreation and accessibility for all park visitors, according to a news release. It will have all-new play equipment including ramped access, tall slides, spinners, climbing elements, updated swings and a zip line to ensure play opportunities for children of all ages and abilities. The section designed for 5 to 12 year olds will offer an elevated play structure for added thrills.

While a decision has not been made between a poured-in-place rubber surface or synthetic turf, Fyle said the public input sought for the project made it clear that the wood mulch will give way to a new material intended to be safer, accessible and low-maintenance.

The Downers Grove Park District was awarded the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the McCollum Park improvement project, according to the release. The grant was announced last month by Gov. JB Pritzker. The district was one of 100 park agencies receiving more than $55.2 million in funding to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities.

“Right now our anticipated budget for the overall project is $2 million,” Fyle said. “Fortunately, $600,000 will be paid by the new … grant. That includes not just the playground [and picnic shelter] but also the adult fitness area … games [plaza] and also the horseshoe courts that have been there for a long, long time and are due to be renovated.”

The remainder of the financing will be from the district’s capital fund, he said.

Planned at the park is a plaza with new game tables to complement the existing bag toss offering.

The project answers the public’s request for added shade in the park, including at the playground, Fyle said. Opportunities to enjoy shade are planned with the new picnic shelter between the two play areas and the addition of shade structures just to the north at the game plaza and the concession plaza, ideally to replace the table umbrellas that are vulnerable to wind and have to be set up and taken down daily at the concession stand.

“We’re making some of our existing features more accessible,” Fyle said, noting one example is to rectify not having a wheelchair-accessible route to the horseshoe courts.

The district is working on more detailed design work to select all-new equipment to enhance the fitness area, which has worn out from years of heavy use, Fyle said. It will be revitalized with new surfacing and modern equipment to encourage outdoor exercise for adults.

When the new children’s playground is in place, the old one likely will go to the nonprofit Kids Around the World in Rockford, which provides refurbished play equipment to underserved communities overseas.

“We have reached out,” Fyle said. “We have donated nearly all of our playgrounds … to them over the last 10 years.”

McCollum Park at 6801 S. Main St. was completed in 1985. The most recent improvements include renovation of the pickleball and tennis courts in 2023 and the new Adventure Falls Sprayground in 2024.

The district website notes the 50-acre park contains two baseball fields, two softball fields, four soccer/multi-purpose fields, eight dedicated pickleball courts, three dedicated tennis courts plus three tennis courts that can be converted for an additional eight temporary pickleball courts, six horseshoe courts, three lighted sand volleyball courts, two lighted basketball courts, large playground and 18-hole miniature golf course.

For updates about the improvement project, visit dgparks.org.