Chicago Construction News staff writer
The Park District of Oak Park is set to break ground on a brand-new Field Center building at Field Park, replacing a 99-year-old facility near Horace Mann Elementary School at 929 Berkshire Street.
The long-awaited project is designed to support modern programming needs and provide safe, accessible spaces for Oak Park families.
Construction will begin in August 2025 and is expected to be completed by June 2026.
The Park District board approved a $4 million contract with Liebe Construction Services, LLC of Mundelein and allocated $2.8 million toward the new Field Center in its 2025 capital improvement plan and an additional $1 million in park-wide enhancements projected for 2026.
The new Field Center will span 4,600 square feet and include:
- dance classrooms for youth programming
- small indoor stage for children’s performing arts events
- design features to streamline preschool and after-care pick-up and drop-off
- expanded space for summer camps and after-school programs
The current Field Center—designed in 1926 by noted Oak Park architect John Van Bergen—will remain open during construction to allow programs to continue without disruption.
The north playground will be removed in August 2025 and donated to the nonprofit Kids Around the World
In a nod to history, the Park District selected the design through a modern architectural competition, just as it did for the original center nearly 100 years ago. This helped ensure that the new facility blends functionality with a respectful nod to the community’s architectural heritage.
The building is designed to be modern, efficient, and welcoming, with improved access, updated amenities, and room to grow with future programming needs.
