Award
2016 Merit Award
Site
Winnetka, IL
Size
1.38 acres
Client
Winnetka Park District; Robert Smith; Costa Kutulas
Category
Design
Landscape Architects
Project Details
The Lakota Group led the redesign of an existing underutilized park in Winnetka, Illinois, called Hubbard Woods Park. The effort began with a Master Planning process that focused on the park’s role in revitalizing the surrounding neighborhood’s commercial district. The Lakota Group examined both the function and location of amenities within the park and in the context of the district’s surrounding land uses. The project process included an assessment of existing amenities and the recreational needs of the community, including a series of community workshops and meetings with local business owners.
The Master Plan established improved connections to the nearby train station and surrounding district, while preserving the park’s mature oak trees and great lawn. Park enhancements accommodate the needs of both individual daily users and the community as a space for festivals and events, emphasizing its importance as a local gathering place and destination. The final park design clustered key amenities to create a more beneficial user experience while also promoting synergy with nearby businesses.
Following the adoption of the Master Plan, The Lakota Group assisted the Winnetka Park District in moving the project through the Village entitlement process in order to proceed with the implementation of near-term enhancements. With construction completed in 2016, Hubbard Woods Park features a new playground, pavilion, splash pad, picnic areas, community butterfly garden, and bocce courts.
Project Team
Green Associates; Gewalt Hamilton Associates; Elanar Construction Co; F.H. Paschen