Community engagement over several years, including a districtwide survey, public meetings, and task force discussions and a public opinion survey, have consistently shown strong demand for:Walking, biking, and jogging pathsAdditional green spaceADA-compliant, accessible playgroundsOutdoor gathering and event spacesImproved sports, fitness, and recreation amenitiesAt the same time, Skokie has very limited opportunities to add or significantly improve parkland. Planning now allows the Park District to responsibly address these needs, manage rising construction costs, and pursue competitive grant funding while staying aligned with long‑term planning efforts.

These two sites were identified through community input as priorities because they present rare opportunities to address currently unmet needs:Skokie Sports Park is one of the District’s most heavily used recreation areas and lacks several amenities residents have requested to better support year‑round use.Channelside Park South now exists as a former industrial asphalt site, but offers a unique opportunity to convert underused land into meaningful recreation space along the North Shore Channel.Both sites are located on land leased from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), which enables park development with certain limitations, such as not allowing artificial turf.

Sports Park East is heavily used by the community for a wide range of outdoor sports, programs, and activities. However, it currently lacks certain amenities that residents have identified as priorities, including indoor recreation space, permanent restrooms, sheltered gathering areas, and expanded facilities to support year‑round programming. Environmental remediation of the park was completed in 2015.

The Park District is considering the following improvements at Sports Park East:New recreation center with multi-sport courts, flexible program/rental rooms, golf simulators, shaded patio, rain garden, and expanded parking lotNew golf practice green for chipping and puttingCricket field and soccer/multipurpose fields improvements, including improved irrigation and new sports lighting, practice pitches, shaded seating, shelter, and restrooms.Relocated batting cagesNew challenge course and outdoor fitness equipmentNew walking/jogging pathAdditional native perennial plantings

The space being considered for a new Channelside Park South is now a long, narrow site consisting largely of asphalt and concrete along McCormick Boulevard. It has historically functioned as an industrial property and is underused and disconnected from the surrounding community. The report of environmental remediation Phases I and II is complete with no concerns.

The proposal would transform the existing site into a vibrant new community gathering and green space, featuring:An ADA-compliant, fully accessible playground for all ages, including nature-inspired spaces and an accessible zip linePaved walking/biking path with a bridge over the channel that will connect to both Skokie Sports Park and the North Shore Channel TrailRenovated multipurpose facility with patio and pergolaBand shell, stage, and event lawnOutdoor fitness equipmentChildren’s maze and splash padBenches and a shelter with picnic tableNative prairie plantings and shade trees, and the removal of invasive species

Yes. The proposed improvements at both parks would support existing and new programs, classes, camps, rentals, and community events. Indoor and sheltered spaces would enable year‑round activities, while outdoor gathering and performance areas could host concerts, festivals, fitness programs, cultural events, and educational programming.At the proposed new Channelside Park South, features like the all-inclusive playground, event lawn, band shell, picnic shelter, and open gathering areas could support:Concerts and performancesFestivals and community eventsFamily activitiesNature and educational programsAt Sports Park East, new or improved amenities could support:Sports leaguesYouth and adult programsCommunity events and meetingsCricketSoccerSummer campEnhanced golf operations

The project would likely begin in spring 2027. Optimistically, the estimated completion date would be 18-24 months later.

Six.

It is anticipated that no additional full-time staff will be required for recreation, however the parks may need additional landscape staff.

No, operational expenses would be budgeted for annually, outside of the initial project cost.

As with all parks and facilities (with the exception of Fitness First and Pooch Park), there would be no membership fees required. There would be fees for classes and drop in programs, as with all district programs. Free amenities would include a universal playground, splash pad, fitness equipment, walking paths, and athletic field use when not reserved.

Yes. Amenities for teens would include indoor and outdoor sports, fitness equipment, a challenge course and a concert venue, as well as open space.

No. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), from whom the park district leases the property, does not allow synthetic turf.

No. A walking bridge over the street would be cost prohibitive.

Yes, there would be views from the new bridge, as well as in places along the walking path where current invasive species will be removed.

Yes.

Skokie Sports Park currently has 268 parking spaces. The renovation of the Sports Park parking lot would add 57 spaces for a total of 325. Channelside Park South renovation would include 150 parking spaces, with the likelihood of an additional 354 spaces made available for most events by the adjacent Vineyard Christian Church Evanston.

CTA bus 97 stops adjacent to both parks on Oakton Street.

Yes. The district is always open to sponsorship opportunities.

As with all district parks, the district utilizes a park monitor and Skokie Police are always available.

Yes. And the Skokie Park District will not be paying property taxes on MWRD-leased properties.

No.

The Park District serves approximately 67,000 residents across nearly all of Skokie and parts of Evanston, Morton Grove, and Chicago. Skokie Park District and the Village of Skokie are separate governmental entities with separate budgets and responsibilities.

The Park District maintains 45 parks, including ballfields, playgrounds, courts, picnic areas, soccer fields, a dog park, two golf facilities, outdoor shelters, and restrooms.

Facilities include:Skatium Ice ArenaTwo outdoor swimming pools (Skokie Water Playground and Devonshire Aquatic Center)Oakton Community Center, including an active adult lounge and Exploritorium indoor play spaceDevonshire Cultural Center, Playhouse and PreschoolWeber Leisure Center with a health club (Fitness First) and gymnasiumEmily Oaks Nature Center with an interpretive centerSkokie Heritage Museum and Log CabinSkokie Sports Park with outdoor golf range, indoor golf simulator, mini golf, and batting cagesWeber Golf Course, a 9-hole golf course and FootGolf courseTot Learning CenterDammrich Rowing Center

Programs include:Arts, nature, sports, and fitness programsSpecialized programs for all ages, from tots to seniorsMore than 80 summer day campsLicensed full‑day childcare and preschoolBefore‑ and after‑school programsCommunity events, including Skokie’s Backlot Bash, the Skokie Festival of Cultures, Winter Chilly Fest, and July 4th celebrations

A bond referendum asks voters to approve borrowing funds, similar to a mortgage, to pay for capital improvements. Bond funds may only be used for construction and site improvements and cannot be used for staffing, daily operations, or programs.

The Skokie Park District is proposing a 20-year, $53 million bond referendum

The estimated annual tax impact of the 20-year, $53 million bond referendum is approximately $137,  or about $11 per month, for a home with a fair market value of $400,000. A tax calculator is available above.