The Veterans Park redevelopment is on schedule and expected to meet its early June deadline, Hickory Hills Director of Public Works Sue Lehr told aldermen at last week’s city council meeting.
Located just west of City Hall and next to the farmers market, the revamped park will include ADA-compliant pathways, a water feature, upgraded landscaping, new seating areas, and a central pergola.
Lehr said improvements were designed to make the park more functional and welcoming for events and everyday use.
“The Lakota Group is doing a great job keeping everything on track,” Lehr said. “We’re finalizing construction drawings in early February and plan to award the bid at our first meeting in March.”
To save time, the city plans to pre-order key park features, such as benches and decorative elements, ahead of the contractor’s schedule. Existing memorials, including veterans’ plaques, the rose garden, and the boy statue, will remain part of the park but be relocated to fit the new design.
Lehr noted the community is excited about the changes, sharing that the chamber of commerce is already considering ways to incorporate the updated park into its events.
“We’re looking forward to creating a space that’s accessible and inviting for everyone,” Lehr said.
The project’s substantial completion is set for early June, with any remaining minor work wrapping up soon after, depending on contractor timelines.