A K P RK A D O I - S T N R A I L C T Lan-Oak Park District S I N C 9 E 1 9 4 Master Plan Existing Conditions Report DRAFT March 7 2014 Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Purpose of the Master Plan ....................................................................................................................... 3 Planning Process and Timeline ................................................................................................................ 4 Organization of the Existing Conditions Report ................................................................................... 4 Section 1: History and Regional Context .............................................................................................. 6 History ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Lan-Oak Park District Mission ................................................................................................................. 8 Regional Setting.......................................................................................................................................... 9 Relationship with the GO TO 2040 Regional Comprehensive Plan ................................................... 9 Section 2: Summary of Background Studies, Reports, and Plans .................................................. 11 Village of Lansing Comprehensive Plan (Draft 2014) ......................................................................... 11 Forest Preserve District of Cook County .............................................................................................. 13 Millennium Reserve ................................................................................................................................. 15 Lan-Oak Park District Bicycle Plan........................................................................................................ 15 Lan-Oak Park District Park Plaza Concept .......................................................................................... 17 Section 3: Demographics ....................................................................................................................... 18 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................. 18 Demographic Profile and Analysis ........................................................................................................ 19 Income ....................................................................................................................................................... 22 Employment ............................................................................................................................................. 24 Housing ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 Section 4: Community Outreach .......................................................................................................... 27 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................. 27 Steering Committee Meetings ................................................................................................................ 28 Key Person Interviews ............................................................................................................................. 29 Community Workshop ........................................................................................................................... 29 Community Survey Summary ............................................................................................................... 30 Focus Groups ............................................................................................................................................ 31 Section 5: Governance ............................................................................................................................ 32 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................. 32 Village of Lansing .................................................................................................................................... 32 Schools ....................................................................................................................................................... 32 Library ....................................................................................................................................................... 33 Chamber of Commerce ........................................................................................................................... 33 Private Recreation Providers .................................................................................................................. 33 Unincorporated Areas ............................................................................................................................. 33 Section 6: Existing Conditions .............................................................................................................. 34 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................. 34 Lan-Oak Park District Facilities ............................................................................................................. 35 Forest Preserve District of Cook County .............................................................................................. 40 Trail System .............................................................................................................................................. 41 Lan-Oak Park District Page 1 of 74 Draft Existing Conditions Report – March 17, 2014 Environmental Features .......................................................................................................................... 43 Section 7: Benefits of Parks ................................................................................................................... 45 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................. 46 Environmental Benefits ........................................................................................................................... 46 Social Benefits ........................................................................................................................................... 48 Public Health ............................................................................................................................................ 49 Economic Benefits .................................................................................................................................... 51 Section 8: Moving Forward ................................................................................................................... 54 Appendix A .............................................................................................................................................. 56 Steering Committee Meetings ................................................................................................................ 56 Key Person Interviews ............................................................................................................................. 57 Community Workshop ........................................................................................................................... 60 Community Survey .................................................................................................................................. 60 Appendix B ............................................................................................................................................... 65 Health Impact Report .............................................................................................................................. 65 Lan-Oak Park District Page 2 of 74 Draft Existing Conditions Report – March 17, 2014 Introduction The Lan-Oak Park District’s current Master Plan was completed in 1994. Over the last 20 years the District has experienced significant changes and currently faces many challenges ahead. The District is essentially landlocked, with very few dollars available to make capital improvements. Many of the Districts existing parks are in need of improvements and some facilities, such as the District’s only outdoor community pool, have been closed. The Master Plan will involve input from district staff, elected and appointed officials, residents, and sports groups/affiliates throughout the planning process. An updated Master Plan will provide the District with an up-to-date road map for how to best provide parks and recreation in Lansing over the next 10-15 years. Purpose of the Master Plan The combination of the financial health of the Park District and the constantly changing trends in parks and recreation create a need for