Indian Head Park has been awarded a $385,500 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to finance redevelopment of Sacajawea Park and Kelli’s Playground, one of the village’s most utilized recreational spaces.
Village officials explained the project will include replacement of aging playground equipment, installation of new ADA-compliant features, resurfaced walking paths, enhanced landscaping, and the addition of benches and picnic areas at the park, on Keokuk Road southeast of Plainfield Road and Interstate 294.
The village will provide the required local match for the grant to complete the $771,000 project, with the budgeted amount coming from its capital improvement fund, said village administrator Gavin Morgan.
“The Village Board prioritized this project because of its potential to serve a wide range of residents and because of concerns about the age and condition of the equipment,” Morgan said.
Needs for park improvements were identified through ongoing conversations with residents, public input during village meetings and longterm capital planning, said village President Amy Jo Wittenberg. “Sacajawea Park is a beloved space with deep roots in the community, but after more than two decades, much of its infrastructure is outdated and does not meet modern standards,” Wittenberg said. “The playground equipment is aging and the layout is no longer well suited for multigenerational or all-abilities use. We knew the time was right to revitalize this space for future generations.”
Pending final authorization from the state, detailed planning and permitting could begin this spring, with bidding to follow in the fall and construction completed by spring 2027, Morgan said.
The park will need to close temporarily during construction, Morgan said.
“We will communicate any closures clearly in advance and work to minimize disruption for residents,” he said. “We know Sacajawea Park is a valued community gathering spot, and we will work hard to return it to the public as quickly as possible, with major improvements in place.”
The village dedicated Kelli’s Playground and Memorial at Sacajawea Park in October 2012, marking the one-year anniversary of the death of Kelli O’Laughlin. The Lyons Township High School student was 14 years old when she was murdered on Oct. 27, 2011, after walking in on a burglary at her home. Her killer was sentenced to 160 years in prison in 2014 and died in 2023. The memorial at the park includes a tree, bench, plaque and boulder.
“I am deeply touched to see continued investment in Kelli’s Playground and Sacajawea Park,” Kelli’s mother, Brenda O’Laughlin, said in a statement provided by the village. “This space has always held special meaning for our family and for so many in the community who have kept Kelli’s spirit alive through their kindness and support. Knowing that the park will be renewed and made even more welcoming for children and families means more than words can express. I am grateful to the village, IDNR and everyone involved for honoring Kelli’s memory in such a beautiful and lasting way.”
Wittenberg said the project is about more than physical improvements. “It’s about connection, memory and inclusiveness. We’re preserving and enhancing Kelli’s memorial and creating a space where people of all ages and abilities can gather, play, reflect and build community,” she said. “In addition to new playground equipment and accessible features, the project adds a bocce court, putting green, reading nook and sustainable landscaping, all designed to promote wellness, environmental education and community pride.”
The project can proceed after IDNR issues formal grant instructions and compliance guidance. The village applied for the grant last September, following a detailed planning process that included two public input meetings, Morgan explained.
“Our application to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program was supported by strong community feedback, a well-developed site plan and a history of collaboration; we previously received OSLAD support when the park was first developed in the late 1990s,” he noted.
IDNR awarded a total of $36 million to 67 communities throughout Illinois through this year’s OSLAD grant cycle, supporting projects that expand access to parks and open space statewide.
Jim Dudlicek is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
