As the Village of South Elgin plans for continued growth, it also recognizes the need for updated parks and recreational facilities. Teska Associates, Inc. was pleased to lead the planning effort that resulted in the Village of South Elgin Parks Analysis and Improvement Plan. The purpose of the plan was to provide the Parks and Recreation Department with an understanding of the Village’s current level of physical access for people with disabilities. Recommendations for improving accessibility and implementing an approach of universal design to accommodate the widest range of park users were also provided.

Teska Associates conducted interviews with the Village’s Parks and Recreation Department staff to ascertain the programmatic functions of park facilities. A web based community survey questionnaire was developed for public input and comment.

The planning team then conducted on-site observation, inventory and reconnaissance for each of thirty-one Village owned park sites. Particular attention was given to parks facilities and their compliance to current safety and access standards as determined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Key findings, recommendations, future development goals and site construction cost estimates were generated for each park site to guide the Village towards improvements to the park system.