Decatur Park Master Plan

Edgewater was retained to provide an updated Master Plan through a streamlined effort to address the heart of new issues facing the Decatur Park District. Issues included an aging and shifting population, resulting in the need to assess the distribution of parks and develop a strategy to ensure that appropriate programming and relevant facilities are provided for each of the neighborhoods served. The incorporation of environmental sustainability required the assessment of park properties, structures, and operational methods to incorporate lower maintenance native landscapes, improve the function of the park environments as habitat, assess existing structures for program suitability and reuse potential, and minimize energy and resource consumption. The new plan addressed long-term strategies for marinas, ADA compliance, environmental concerns, and potential partnerships with the city and private entities.