Centrally located in Elk Grove, Illinois - a suburb 20 miles northwest of Chicago - Marshall Park spans nearly four acres. Elk Grove Park District envisioned the site to become a premier community space for its 32,000 residents and approached Chicago-based landscape architecture firm Upland Design Ltd to assist. Upland led the team from initial conceptual design to community engagement and securing an IDNR Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant of $600,000 for the project. They then prepared construction documents and assisted with permitting, bidding, and construction administration. When the park reopened in 2024, the project had taken over two years to complete with a final budget of just over $2.5 million.

The Vision
The Landscape Architects worked closely with park district staff to create an inclusive, multi-generational park. Community engagement was an important part of the design process, and key goals included providing a recreation space for the growing number of families in addition to activities for older adults.

 
The Playground
The district wanted a unique play experience for the community, and the design team worked with a combination of Landscape Structures' (LSI) play elements and a custom net and tower to achieve the desired effect. The 12,000-square-foot playground needed to achieve several key goals, including the creation of an inclusive, multi-level experience for 2-12-year-olds. The playground's centerpiece is a helix rope climber exceeding 70 feet in length. A sloped walk leads users from the flat site up to the inclusive entry point for hill slides, climbers, and more. The design also incorporates an assortment of well-balanced play experiences, including a variety of swing types, features for spinning, sliding, and balancing, plus a 15-foot tower and a 19-foot tower that create bird's eye views of the park.

The 2-5-year-old play area includes smart play structures with foliage-themed play panels, leafy pods, slides with rocks, butterfly spring riders, and a cozy dome. The poured-in-place hill and mound create a circuitous route of slides, pods, ropes, and rocks to loop kids from the entrance to a music play moment complete with audience seating.

The Splash Pad
A large, colorful splash pad also provides fun for all ages. One of the unique aspects of the water play area is an innovative and visually striking flooring. The cushioned, textured, and gradated surface beautifully connects over ten different, at-grade and above-ground splash features from Aquatix. Shaded tables by Landscape Forms complement the Adirondack chairs and CoolTopper shade sails, with Wasau Tile benches surrounding the splash zone.

Fun & Fitness
Multi-generational components include an approximately quarter-mile walking loop outfitted with bench seating, exercise signage, HealthBeat fitness stations, an irrigated soccer field, and a full-size basketball court. The walking loop also highlights a rainwater detention and garden system planted with native perennials. The system was designed to address drainage concerns and provide a native habitat with informational signage designed by the Landscape Architect. Additional comfort amenities include an MDF drinking fountain with bottle filler and a Cedar Forest Shelter with full restrooms.

A Positive Reception
Since its opening, Marshall Park has received enthusiastic feedback from visitors, with many praising the beautiful features and sought-after amenities that collectively create a theme park-like atmosphere. Ben Curcio, Elk Grove Park District Executive Director, "The incredible daily use throughout the season is a testament to thoughtful planning and collaboration."

As seen in LASN magazine, April 2025.