News Flash

Village of Park Forest - Top Story News

Posted on: April 27, 2021

Somonauk Park ground breaking ceremony set for May 1

Somonauk Park

A ground breaking ceremony will be held this Saturday, May 1, at 10 a.m. at Somonauk Park in celebration of the park’s first major makeover in nearly 30 years. 

Somonauk Park, located on Somonauk Street in the southern portion of Park Forest, and Park Forest’s second largest community park, will receive a nearly $800,000 renovation. The village will provide the initial funding for the project with fifty percent being reimbursed through a state grant. When completed, Somonauk Park will be transformed to a 1-acre pond providing fishing and kayaking opportunities, zip lines, elevated seating terraces, and accessible walking paths. Village leaders hope the park will provide additional recreation options for Park Forest families and will serve as a regional destination that draws others into the community.  

"This project offers not only new and unique opportunities for both active and passive recreation, it also adds to the native habitat in the Village.  This project is supported by the various volunteer Boards and Commissions as not only an improvement to the park but as a potential catalyst for economic development and a draw for new residents," said Recreation, Parks, and Community Health Director Rob Gunther. 

The first phase of the project will begin later this month. 

“This is the base work and demolition of some of the existing conditions,” Gunther said. 
 
Following phase one, the fishing pier and kayaks are expected to be installed as part of phase two, landscaping and asphalt work planned for phase three, and final site amenities to be added in phase four. 

Earlier this month, village officials held a meeting for residents who live near the park. Nearly 30 attended to ask questions and learn more about the plans. Aside from common questions related to noise and impacts on traffic, resident feedback was positive and encouraging, according to Gunther. 

The redeveloped Somonauk Park is expected to open to the public in July of 2022.

For questions, contact the Recreation, Parks and Community Health Department at 708-748-2005. 

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Village of Park Forest - Top Story News

GSU Job Fair Pic nf size

Village hosts Job Fair on May 27

Posted on: May 23, 2023
Village Hall

April 4, 2023 election results

Posted on: April 4, 2023
Electric Aggregation

Illinois Solar for All program rolls out

Posted on: February 8, 2023
PFNPC

Candidate forums begin Jan. 29

Posted on: January 20, 2023
Sustainability NF Size

Join the Environment Commission

Posted on: December 19, 2022
lights NF size

Holiday Light & Tree Recyling

Posted on: November 12, 2022
Yard waste NF size

Last day for yard waste pick-up, Nov. 30

Posted on: November 10, 2022
Street Sweeping image NF size

Final street sweeping Monday, Nov. 14

Posted on: November 8, 2022
nicor gas news flash image

Nicor natural gas meter relocation program

Posted on: September 27, 2022
Village Hall

Early voting hours and locations

Posted on: October 12, 2022
BC Awarness image news flash size

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on: October 4, 2022
Halloween in Park Forest 2020

Safe Halloween, Oct. 29

Posted on: October 12, 2022
blood drive Oct 2022 flyer news flash size

Blood drive, Oct. 20

Posted on: September 30, 2022
Engine 56 and A shift members news flash size

Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9-15

Posted on: October 6, 2022
Child Composting News flash size

Compost food waste with Urban Canopy

Posted on: September 15, 2022
Farmers Market

Main Street Market continues

Posted on: August 12, 2022
Police logo New flash size

Kia and Hyundai thefts

Posted on: September 9, 2022
Hydrant Flushing

Hydrant flushing, Sept. 6 - 23

Posted on: September 3, 2022
VillageWideSale19

Village-wide Garage Sale, Sept. 24 - 25

Posted on: August 24, 2022
Solar at the Water plant News flash size

Solar project unveiling, Sept. 19

Posted on: September 7, 2022
September 2022 Business Breakfast Flyer PNG

Quarterly Business Breakfast, Sept. 15

Posted on: August 16, 2022
senior-resource-book-launching21024_1

Senior resource book launching, Sept. 1

Posted on: August 30, 2022
Paint n Sip sm news flash size

Main Street Fest, Paint n' Sip, Aug. 20

Posted on: August 10, 2022
Electric Aggregation

Grow Solar Power Hour event, Aug. 17

Posted on: August 8, 2022
Youth Day  2016 news flash size

Unity Day canceled

Posted on: August 2, 2022
2022 RecycleFest Flyer

Volunteers Needed for RecycleFest!

Posted on: June 6, 2022
Halloween in Park Forest 2020

Park Forest celebrates Halloween

Posted on: October 21, 2021
Fizer

Park Forest remembers Edwin J. Fizer

Posted on: October 28, 2020
Village Hall

Will County early voting locations

Posted on: October 7, 2020
Village Hall

Curfew ends in Park Forest

Posted on: June 2, 2020
street sweeping

Street sweeping begins Nov. 18

Posted on: November 15, 2019
Campbell

Park Forest remembers Steve Campbell

Posted on: November 13, 2019
HBrownPF

Park Forest remembers Harold Brown

Posted on: November 5, 2019
Resident Appreciation Month

November is Resident Appreciation Month

Posted on: November 1, 2019
Village Hall

April 2, 2019 election results

Posted on: April 2, 2019