Oak Lawn Park District Comprehensive Parks Master Plan

Comprehensive Plans

Oak Lawn Park District Comprehensive Parks Master Plan

The Oak Lawn Park District partnered with Upland Design to develop a district-wide park inventory, mapping system, and capital improvement plan to guide park investments and upgrades beginning in 2020. The effort focused on creating a clear, data-driven framework to help the district prioritize improvements and strategically invest in its park system.

In 2025, Upland Design built upon this foundation by assisting the District with an update to its Comprehensive Parks Master Plan. The process included site visits to parks across the community, evaluations of athletic facilities, and updated district-wide mapping to assess current conditions, usage patterns, and emerging recreational needs. Athletic fields, courts, and supporting amenities were reviewed to better understand capacity, conditions, and opportunities for improvement. Community input and long-term planning remain central to the District's approach. Upland Design led several community engagement events, met with staff and the board to get a comprehensive picture of the district. Park District staff also implemented a resident survey with input from Upland to help gather additional feedback.

These analyses, combined with updated system mapping and facility assessments, helped refine capital improvement priorities and identify future investment opportunities. The resulting plan update provides the District with a clear, implementation-focused planning tool that supports long-term budgeting, aligns improvements with community needs, and strengthens the District's readiness to pursue future grant funding for park enhancements.