For the Frankfort Park District, which operates with an about $2 million annual budget, the recent announcement of a $7.9 million state grant will be a gamechanger.
While the village in May received $1.6 million to link the eastern part of Frankfort and Commissioners Park, 22451 S. 80th Ave, to the broader Frankfort trail system, the most recent grant will largely focus on improving Commissioners Park itself, according to parks Director Gina Hassett.
“This amount of money is pretty much unprecedented to get,” Hassett said Monday. “I’ve been with the district for 10 years and our Park District is underfunded compared to other districts in the Southland.”
Hassett said she gets questions from residents frequently about lack of amenities and recreational opportunities.
“We just don’t have the money,” she said.
But state Sen. Michael Hastings saw Frankfort green space as a worthy investment at the state level, Hassett said, paving the way for the recent award that paves the way for renovations of Commissioner Park and other parks.
Hastings also helped secure funding for the new Old Plank Trail connection and to improve the existing trail along with upgrading a splash pad and Fort Frankfort at Commissioners Park, according to a recent news release from the senator’s office.
“When we invest in our parks, we invest in the quality of life for our families, our seniors and our children,” Hastert said in the release. “This new funding ensures that Frankfort continues to grow as a destination for recreation, community gatherings, and healthy living for generations to come.”
Hassett said the Park District is working on a master plan for Commissioners Park, which includes assessing the park’s needs and how the $7.9 million could be spent. Immediate priorities include renovating parking lots at Commissioners, Lincoln Meadow and Windy Hill parks.
At Commissioners Park, Hassett said the parking lot includes one lane of traffic each for entering and exiting, which is potentially dangerous if emergency vehicles need to enter.
The park’s layout has led to drainage issues and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act has posed a challenge, Hassett said. She said she would also like to add tennis and/or pickleball courts to the park.
“The list is really long,” Hassett said. “When I say parks, it’s not just playgrounds but asphalt paths, different things of that nature.”
The Park District has tried to raise funds through referendum several times over the past decade but no measures passed. Hassett said the Park District is considering another referendum to add an indoor park district facility while keeping in mind the challenges of maintaining more assets over time.
“We really want to engage in the community and see what they’ll support and what their needs are,” Hassett said.
