Residents in the southwest suburb Homer Glen may soon get more outdoor recreation opportunities, according to the Chicago Tribune. The town of just less than 25,000 is known for its safety, having been ranked No. 5 on the list of safest towns in Illinois by the National Council for Home Safety and Security, but not so much for its outdoor activities. 

Growing up in Homer Glen, there weren’t many options for outdoor recreation. While the farm-dense community has an abundance of greenspace and has increased its trail network over the past decade, recreation and access to activities were always sparse. Being outside and active often required a trip to nearby towns like Lockport and Orland Park or making do with the community parks. There was no town center and no place for residents to gather for events.

In the past decade, the Village of Homer Glen and surrounding communities built the Heroes Trail system, giving residents an extensive biking and walking trail that connects several neighborhoods. A few years ago the Woodbine Golf Course, which sits on 103 acres of land behind the Woodbine neighborhood was shuttered. Now that land is being used for a community park that will host events like movies in the park and live music.

Heritage Park photo courtesy of Village of Homer Glen

Most recently the Homer Glen Village Board announced plans for a $3 million renovation of the Village Hall at 14240 W. 151st St. and Heritage Park. Construction on Heritage Park started in August 2017, and intentions were fairly simple with the addition of amenities like a 1.5-mile multi-purpose trail, new parking lot, smart lighting, stormwater management, and 136 new planted trees. Work on this portion of the project is currently about halfway done and is expected to be completed in June. 

The Village Board’s newest plans for the park include courts for tennis, pickleball, bocce ball, and sand volleyball, as well as a sensory garden, disc golf course, sledding hill, challenge course, and children’s playground. There are also talks of a fishing pond, splash pad, and amphitheater for concerts and movies in the park. 

The first phase is expected to cost the village between $4.5 and $5 million, which is coming out of the village’s savings. While community officials are cautious about overspending or incurring debt, the payoff for residents would be overwhelming. It could take several years for the park’s construction to be completely built out. 

Homer Glen is also in the initial stages of planning a west extension for the Heroes Trail, which will connect at Heatherwood Drive in Pebble Creek and link to Heritage Park. The Goodings Grove extension recently opened, running through the ComEd easement and to Goodings Grove school and the newly opened Goodings Grove Park. Located right off 143rd Street, the new park has a playground for both younger and older kids, a basketball court, a picnic shelter, walking paths, and open greenspace.