Upland Design Ltd

It was a glorious #Illinois spring day 4.12.2025 when we joined the Batavia Park District at the grand opening celebration of the renovated Clark Island Park! Park District staff, mascot Bruce Spruce, elected officials, and the surrounding communities witnessed the official ribbon cutting, sport demonstrations, and an egg hunt for the kids. Upland Design assisted the Park District with a new park master plan – with community input - and the submission of an Illinois Department of Natural Resources OSLAD grant in 2022 as part of the Clark Island Recreation Expansion. After the grant was awarded in 2023, Upland led the development and construction of a new skate park, pump track, fitness court, fishing outcroppings, asphalt trail, rain and pollinator gardens with interpretive signage, seating and shade areas, parking lot improvements, and accessibility updates. The site is connected to the Fox River Trail and completely open to the natural surroundings, which is great for the fitness classes and events already planned for the spring and summer seasons. Well done to the Batavia Park District and their residents for being so involved in the creation of a new and improved Clark Island Park!

For the past several years, Winfield Park District has been hard at work redeveloping Founders Park. Upland Design assisted with the creation of a new concept plan in 2022 – with community input to customize the amenities – and then helped the District apply for an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Spaces Land and Acquisitions Development (OSLAD) Grant in 2023. Once the grant was awarded, Upland Design led the renovation. Founders reopened last August with some amazing features: a new shelter, fitness stations, a rain garden with interpretive signage, a Gaga pit, a challenge course, two pickleball courts, renovations to the softball fields, and an asphalt trail. In addition to bright, playful colors and plenty of beautiful natural landscaping, the layout is great for families with multiple interests. Many of the amenities are within view of each other so all ages can #GoOutside and play simultaneously. Congratulations to the Winfield Park District and their residents on their accomplishment!

In 2023, the Oak Lawn Park District undertook a master planning process for Oak Meadows Park, a 4.3 acre neighborhood park that was ready for renovation. Upland Design assisted with creating a Master Plan with community input to submit an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant. The grant was awarded and the construction is nearing completion. Soon, Oak Lawn residents will be able to enjoy a new softball field, improved soccer field amenities, new half-basketball court, new fitness station, new lighted picnic shelter and tables, game tables, a Pollinator and Rain Garden, Bird Habitat Area, and new trails for walking, running and biking.

Winding Creek Park is a brand-new 4.85-acre neighborhood park within the Geneva Park District and City of Batavia Illinois. Upland Design assisted the Park District in gathering public input in 2024 so the final Master Plan is completely unique to the residents. The selected concept seamlessly blends the excitement of active recreation with the tranquility of the natural green spaces. In addition to physical activities for all ages, visitors will experience the inspiration of native prairie grasses, flowers, trees, and shrubs that blend into the wetland beyond. The open space restoration will provide a beautiful backdrop that reflects the identity of both the community and the natural landscape. An Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Acquisition and Development Grant was submitted and awarded to the Geneva Park District in December 2024 to access additional funding. Residents can look forward to a .37 mile trail loop, boardwalk, half basketball court, tennis court, 2 pickleball courts, outdoor games like ping pong and disc connect, dog play area, splash pad, 2-12 year old playground, 20’x36’ picnic shelter, native tree grove and prairie restoration area, interpretive signage, and an eight-station fitness area. Construction starts this July and we can’t wait to #GoOutside. #landscapearchitecture #landscapedesign #landscaping #nature #urbandesign #plants #sustainability #parkplanning #parkdesign #playground #fun #play #kids #family #outdoors #nature #basketball #sports #pickleball #walking #running #fitness #volleyball #jump #run #play #create #soar #discover #climb #spin #breathe #PlainfieldIL #ChicagoIL #Illinois

Upland Design has been working with the City of Elgin, IL on Millennium Park since 2021. First the City undertook a concept planning process with community input, creating a plan designed to meet the unique needs of the Elgin community. In 2023, the City applied for and was awarded an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant to help fund the renovation. Since the official ribbon cutting in September of 2024, residents have been able to #GoOutside at Millennium Park to enjoy a variety of amenities. The shelter and trail have been renovated, plus there is new playground and fitness equipment, a music play area, sand play area, game tables, a Gaga pit, a Baggo game with seating, half-court basketball, and a pollinator garden with educational signage. Congratulations to the City of Elgin on their beautiful Millennium Park!

#DidYouKnow that Aux Sable Springs Park is a 120-acre site that serves as both a community recreation park and nature park? In 2020, Upland Design assisted the Village of Minooka- in collaboration with Kendall County Forest Preserve District - with the concept and an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant for the original park. We then helped the Village engage the Minooka community for input on a Master Plan and second OSLAD grant for upgrades in 2023. When completed – scheduled for this summer - the residents of Minooka will be able to enjoy a variety of outdoor options at Aux Sable: new ADA playground equipment, a new Splash Pad with nature theme, new pickleball courts, two new community shelters with electricity, upgrades at the baseball fields, a new Baggo game, new fitness pods & a “bamboo jungle,” a tree identification walk and interpretive signage at the prairie, and the beautiful trail loop. #LandscapeArchitecture #LandscapeDesign #ParksAndRecreation #Illinois #Run #Jump #Play #GoOutside 

We are excited to present the Framework Plan for South Lincoln Park Renewal Project at the Chicago History Museum. Upland Design has been working with the Chicago Park District, Lincoln Park Conservancy and GOLD COAST NEIGHBORS ASSOCIATION as they re-imagine the south end of #LincolnPark. The current framework plan was developed after significant community input and site investigation to create a plan that guides future renovations and improvements that maintain the pastoral feel of the park, honor the Lincoln Monument Statue, and adapt to current park needs. Join us March 6 at 6 PM to see the plan and provide input!

We enjoyed the opportunity to #GoOutside our offices and visit our neighbors in Wood Dale recently. City of Wood Dale invited residents to a community input meeting at the City Hall as part of the design of a new community park. Attendees were able to see three different concepts of an overall park plan, an amphitheater/pavilion design, and different features unique to each concept. Their surveys will now be used as suggestions for a final master plan. Stay tuned for more updates!

In 1998, Upland took on our very first project with the Kendall County Forest Preserve District to develop Richard Young Forest Preserve. A must see for wild flora enthusiasts, more than half of Illinois’ native plant species can be found in this 91-acre green space. The design includes walking trails, an overlook with benches, a dog park, a council ring, and restored prairie land. The vehicle entrance was positioned so that the parking could be placed upon an area of invasive plants that was previously disturbed when state route 71 was constructed many years before. There is also interpretive signage (featuring artwork prepared by relatives of Richard Young) that educates visitors about the species present in the area and why they are important to the natural community. After 25 years, the Richard Young Forest Preserve continues to reflect our mission to create great spaces where people can #GoOutside!

Know a student at University of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or University of Wisconsin-Madison? Let them know that Upland Design will be on site February 13 to discuss Landscape Architecture and Park Planning! Principle Landscape Architect Heath Wright will be available at UIUC 2025 Career XPO and Landscape Architect/Project Manager Tom Dvorak will talk to students at UWM on February 13. Upland is always on the lookout for new talent to create great outdoor spaces where people want to #GoOutside! For more information: UIUC Spring 2025 Career Expo: https://lnkd.in/g9sB8gpB UWM Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture Spring 2025 Career Fair: https://lnkd.in/erCwT_pR #LandscapeArchitecture #LandscapeDesign #ParkPlanning #Illinois #Wisconsin #Design #SummerInternships