WRD Environmental Results Gallery, Community Spaces

Lytle Park Master Plan + Phase l Implementation, Mattoon, IL

Client Profile

The Mattoon Township Park District owns and operates the 24-acre Lytle Park, a popular community asset in the City of Mattoon. As part of its centennial celebration, the district launched a master planning process for Lytle Park to set a vision for the park’s next 100 years. The district’s goal is to become an area leader of green and sustainable practices.

Goals

• Develop a master plan that enables the park to serve a wider variety of users with more diverse activities and make the park more sustainable
• Identify and apply for grants
• Develop plans and specifications for the first-phase implementation of the master plan
• Collaborate with the Park Board and other stakeholders to identify opportunities to connect with the community, create sustainable landscapes beyond the park's borders and develop nature-based activities

Sample Results

• A user- and sustainability-focused master plan that was adopted by the Park Board
• A park layout that ultimately creates five “rooms”: Natural Cleansing, which alleviates on-site flooding; an Art Walk; New Active Green Environment (NewAGE), which targets older adults; Children's Playscape; and Sustainable Operations
• $400,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
• Detailed designs for three zones within the park -- Nature-Based Playground, NewAGE and a picnic pavilion with new restrooms -- developed in collaboration with the Park Board, Mattoon YMCA, residents and other stakeholders
• Bid documents for the first phase of construction, including the NewAGE, Children's Playscape and Natural Cleansing room