New Lenox Park District Set to Launch Massive ADA Audits Across Dozens of Local Parks

New Lenox Community Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting | February 18, 2026

Article Summary:
The New Lenox Community Park District is launching a comprehensive accessibility audit, with consultants scheduled to inspect every park site in the district between March 9 and March 13. The audits align with broader park improvements, including the resumption of the Sharon’s Bay Park redevelopment and impending equipment installations at Nelson Ridge, Nelson Prairie, and Teerling Lakes.

Park Development and Audits Key Points:

• ADA Transition Plan: The WT Group, alongside district staff, will conduct accessibility audits at two to three park sites per day between March 9 and March 13.

• Playground Replacements: New playground equipment for Nelson Prairie and Nelson Ridge has been ordered, with installation targeted for June.

• Teerling Lakes: A 50% deposit has been made on equipment for the Teerling Lakes Central Park Development, with site work resuming in the spring.

• Sharon’s Bay Park: The major OSLAD Grant redevelopment project at Sharon’s Bay Park will resume construction in April or May.

The New Lenox Community Park District Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, mapped out an aggressive spring timeline for major park redevelopments and a sweeping, district-wide accessibility audit.

Director of Parks-Maintenance Ken Stephens provided the Board with an update on the district’s ADA Assessment Transition Plan. He reported that consultant John Camp would assist WT Group staff with a comprehensive Facilities Audit on February 18. Following that initial assessment, the consulting group will begin a rapid series of physical park audits between March 9 and March 13. Stephens noted the teams will inspect two to three park sites a day to evaluate accessibility compliance across the district’s 45 properties.

While the audits look to the future, ground is ready to break on several immediate projects.

Stephens confirmed that all major site work for the Teerling Lakes Central Park Development will resume as soon as the weather breaks in the spring, noting the district has already placed a 50% deposit on the necessary park equipment.

The highly anticipated Sharon’s Bay Park Redevelopment, funded by an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant, is scheduled to resume major construction in April or May. Executive Director Greg Lewis shared an email from a resident who has lived across the street from Sharon’s Bay for 25 years, thanking the district for the new park and noting they are “excited to see the re-development… and hearing sounds of joy coming from the park.”

In conjunction with local school districts, Stephens reported that playground equipment for Nelson Prairie and Nelson Ridge has been officially ordered. Installation at both sites is slated for a June start to coincide with the end of the academic year. Furthermore, Stephens noted he is actively working on assembling the bid documents for future development at Briston Park.

Stephens also updated the Board on the newly constructed Crossroads Sports Complex. Following minor topographical issues identified over the winter, the turf group Motz is scheduled to be on-site on February 23 to evaluate all field issues. Despite the required maintenance, field rentals have already begun, with the complex’s first tournament planned for March 14.