Lufkin Park Renovation

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The Lufkin Park Renovation Project was completed in the summer of 2024, but we’re excited to share that additional features are planned for 2025! Interpretive signage highlighting native plants and animals will be added around the pond, along with adjustments to the pathways to address some settling from the first season. New pathways will also be added, leading to the pond and outcropping stones. A few Pollinator Garden beds will be installed, and updated signage will be placed near the splash pad and playground amenities. 

Lufkin Park is now open to the public!  The playground and splash pad are ready to enjoy. The nature path is nearing completion and is available for use now. Be sure to check out the observation pier, surrounded by native plants, for beautiful views of the pond. Please note that the sensory garden is not yet complete due to supply chain delays but will be finished in the coming weeks. Join us for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, August 15, at 5:00 PM. Festivities will start at 4:00 PM with a DJ and activities, joined by Sparky from the Villa Park Fire Department. For more details, see our press release.

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The obstacle course, playground, main shelter, and bandshell have already been installed. The splash pad spray jets and concrete installation are complete, with plumbing expected to be finished by early August. ComEd is scheduled to complete the electric hook-up on July 25, followed by the installation of three sensory items for the sensory garden. Construction of the limestone path surrounding the pond and the new pier is currently underway. Additionally, the DuPage County Pond Improvement Project has planted native plants on the banks of the pond. The area from the top of the banks down to the water's edge will not be mowed and will be maintained by the county for the next two years before the village will be responsible for maintenance. The remaining areas of the park will continue to be mowed as usual. Stay tuned for Lufkin Park’s grand opening in early August! 

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The DuPage County Pond Improvement Project has installed native plants on the banks of the pond at Lufkin Park. The area from the top of the banks down to the water's edge will not be mowed and will be maintained by the county. The remaining areas of the park will continue to be mowed as usual.


The main shelter building framing and columns are installed, including roofing. Concrete was poured for the main shelter, as well as curbing for the splash pad. The turf is being installed in the playground and the ninja warrior course is near completion. The remaining splash pad and other concrete work is anticipated to be completed by the end of May. Site restoration work is anticipated to be completed by early June.  The restroom building is expected to be substantially completed by mid-June. Finally, the installation of the pathways is expected to begin by late May to early June.

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April 12, 2024

All of the main shelter building materials have arrived and construction of the main shelter building has started.  The playground and ninja course are fully installed and the turf safety surfacing is anticipated to be installed in mid-April.  Grading and excavating for the splash pad has started, and construction of the splash pad will begin in mid to late April.  The Performance shelter is installed and the concrete pad and decorative stonework are completed. 

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March 14, 2024

The mild winter has allowed the construction to start again in March.  The performance shelter has been installed.  The concrete pad for the performance shelter and concrete curbing for the playground will be installed in March.  Water and Sewer utility connections are also being installed in March and are scheduled to begin the week of March 18.  The main shelter materials are scheduled to arrive in April and construction of the restroom building and main shelter will begin once everything is delivered.  Construction of the splash pad and pond overlook deck will begin in late April to early May.  The construction of the accessible pathways will begin in spring. 

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December 15, 2023

The new playground and ninja warrior course have been installed.  The concrete footings and foundation work are complete for the main shelter and restroom facility.  The concrete foundation work is complete for the performance shelter.  Work will continue in the spring with the installation of the performance shelter, the main shelter, and the construction of the main shelter restroom building.  The installation of the splash pad and utilities will also be in spring.  The accessible pathways will be installed in late spring to early summer.

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August 10, 2023

DuPage County is finishing up the Storm Mitigation Management portion of our Lufkin Park Renovation. The next step will be to plant native emergent plants in the western and south shoreline portions of the park.

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June 29, 2023

DuPage County will start working on expanding the stormwater mitigation project area. Work will be only on the pond itself and will begin on July 5th and should be completed shortly. 

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May 1, 2023

The trees in Lufkin Park were removed in conjunction with planned park enhancements starting later this summer/fall. The Village is partnering with DuPage County Stormwater Management on enlarging the detention pond and natural landscaping to help mitigate localized flooding. The Village also received an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant to add additional park amenities, including a splash pad, band shelter, park shelter, playground, and walking paths. 

While construction is not planned to start until late July/early August, new legislation was passed that added DuPage County to the list of locations to add protections for the endangered Northern Long Ear Bat. The protections included that tree clearing for capital projects can’t occur between April 1st and September 30th. Therefore, trees impacted by the projects had to be removed early. If you have any questions, please contact our public works at 630. 834.8505.

Lufkin Map