Barrie Park
Continued investment in our parks and facilities is critical to the District’s mission. The Park Board’s policy states that each park site plan will be revisited and updated within a 10-year period. The Park District is in the process of revisiting each park site plan per this policy in order to identify additional park amenities desired by our residents, to budget strategically for these improvements and to be prepared for grant opportunities.
If you have questions or would like to provide feedback on park plans currently in progress, please contact Bill Hamilton, Deputy Director of Properties & Planning.
Current Plan
The 0.9 acre site at the southwest corner of Lombard and Garfield was acquired in 1932, and named for the children’s author James Barrie. It includes a center originally designed by Arthur B. Maiworm. The adjacent 3.3 acre park was acquired in 1965, and had been the site of a manufactured gas plant from 1893-1931. Soil contamination was discovered in 1999, and remediation was undertaken through a coordinated effort by the Park District, Village of Oak Park, ComEd, and NiCor. Cleanup and restoration took place from 2001-2005. Barrie Center is located on top of a Village underground potable water tank. A master plan was created for Barrie Park in 2015, and was completed in 2023-2024, including upgrades to the playground, sled hill, and the addition of a natural play area.
