For years, Doogan Park was a quiet fixture at 14700 Park Lane, a 17-acre expanse of green that served as a backdrop for Orland Park’s suburban growth. But as of early 2026, the silence has been replaced by the steady momentum of a major redevelopment project aimed at transforming the site into a modern recreational hub.
Parks and Recreation Director Ray Piattoni said the village’s plan “focuses on balancing high-demand sports with traditional neighborhood amenities. After extensive review and resident feedback, the approved face-lift is expected to begin within the next several weeks.
Renovations include a full-sized soccer field, improvements to the baseball field, tennis court repairs, a new playground, a half basketball court, a 20’X20’ pavilion, two bocce ball courts, two pickleball courts and parking lot improvements.
Piattoni said the project is supported by a $600,000 OSLAD Grant.
Village Manager George Koczwara said the redevelopment is part of a broader $80 million capital improvement project that includes funding for parks, roadway resurfacing, facility improvements and other infrastructure projects.
Hard to believe that this is the same park that was built in 1970 with community members volunteering their time to construct the park that would be named after the late-Mayor Mel Doogan.
Piattoni said Doogan Park was Orland’s first Central Park. Before the mall. Before Centennial. Before the Ravinia campus. There was Doogan Park. He called Doogan Park “unique.”
“Doogan Park wasn’t just a park, it was Orland Park’s first true family gathering place,” Piattoni said. “It was where kids learned, played, picnicked, danced, competed and celebrated. From 1972 to 2004, if you grew up in Orland, you spent time at Doogan Park. It was the backdrop to childhood, community, and everyday life.”
Doogan Park is where the foundation of Orland Park’s legendary parks system began when in 1970 the late Mayor Doogan and a small group of hands-on leaders didn’t just envision a park, they built it.
They cleared land, poured concrete, organized volunteers, raised funding, and created something from nothing. Their work shaped both the land and the spirit of the village, and in time, the park would rightly bear Doogan’s name.
The park was part of Orland Park’s push to expand recreation and community space, when the Village Administration Building and Community Center was constructed right in the park. It was later named the Robert Davidson Center, honoring Bob Davidson, one of Orland’s true builders.
Village Manager George Koczwara said the redevelopment of Doogan Park is part of a broader $80 million capital improvement project that includes funding for parks, roadway resurfacing, facility improvements and other infrastructure projects.
Timeline and Progress:
- February – March 2026: The village opened official bidding for Doogan Park Construction and Construction Engineering Services to finalize the project’s execution.
- Spring 2026: Construction is expected to kick off following the bid awards, with the village targeting significant milestones throughout the year.
- December 2026: The anticipated completion date for major redevelopment components, including the parking lot reconstruction and new courts.
Koczwara said Doogan Park was part of Orland Park’s push to expand recreation and community space.
He said Doogan Park emerged as a landmark achievement for Orland Park. The park space was well used. The fields hosted generations of baseball, football, and soccer. There were decades of picnics, cookouts, and birthday parties.
For 30 years, Doogan Park was one of the most active and meaningful places in Orland Park. “The goal is to return the park to its place of prominence,” Koczwara said.