Driving Range at New Park Nearing Completion

Duffers will have a new spot to chip golf balls this summer with the completion of the driving range at the new 50-acre park that is currently under construction at 91st Street and California Avenue.

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Bill Lorenz, public works director for Evergreen Park, told village board members at their meeting on Monday that he’s shooting for an opening in the next month, pending weather. The park is being built on a piece of the former Evergreen Country Club property.

“The driving range will be open by May,” Lorenz said. “We’re still in winter here. I’m still trying to shoot for an end-of-April opening.”

Lorenz said equipment for the driving range has been ordered and the range is currently being seeded. Landscaping and retaining walls are going up around the driving range. Public works is also building bio-swales in the parking lot going out to the pond.

Mayor James Sexton asked his public works director about the dog park.

“We need to discuss logistics on member ID and swipe cards for the dog park. Everyone needs to be registered with the Village of Evergreen Park,” the mayor said. “We have to find out if non-residents can use the facility and if we do, at what additional cost. Taxpayers should have some leverage.”

Lorenz said that the village would be going out to bid on landscaping for the new dog park in the next few weeks.

The new dog park will have benches, ponds, seating areas, mostly grass with sidewalk and lighting. Lorenz added after the meeting that the dog park would be sectioned off into areas for small and large dogs.

Village trustees approved the purchase of the 95-acre country club in 2011 $2 million in state grant money. Lorenz said the park is projected to be completed in 2014.