Naperville's Nike Park sports complex taking shape
Hats, coats and gloves are the norm these days, but the carved footprint for two sand volleyball courts in what will soon be Naperville Park District's new Nike Sports Complex serve as a reminder that summer is around the corner.
Park district officials said Wednesday they're pleased with the progress on the 20-acre Nike Park expansion and expect the entire facility at the southeast corner of Diehl Road and Mill Street to be ready for use sometime in July.
Besides the sand volleyball courts, other key amenities in the $7 million project include the district's first lighted, synthetic turf field and multiuse fields for soccer, football and lacrosse. The district also is adding lighted courts for tennis, basketball and volleyball, as well as a playground, walking and bicycle trails, and one of two cricket pitches in Naperville.
“Ideal fall weather, coupled with a motivated team, has really allowed the project to take shape,” project manager Michael Piszynski said. “From the middle of July until Thanksgiving, this place was rocking and it's amazing the work that got done in that time.”
Piszynski estimated the park improvements are about 60 percent complete.
The sand and gravel aggregate base for the new tennis and basketball courts and synthetic turf field is finished, and the parking lots are installed. Lighting, concrete curbing and the new walkway are complete.
The landscaped berm and park support building also are done and finishing touches will be added throughout the site in spring, including landscaping.
“It's pretty incredible this was all wooded with mostly invasive species and now it's developing into this beautiful outdoor complex,” Piszynski said during a Wednesday morning tour of the site. “This is what 20 acres looks like when it's being developed.”
He said several thousand people are expected to use the expanded park when it opens on the north side of town in July and several fall programs already are being booked.
“This expansion is essential for furthering the district's mission of providing the community with organized sport and play,” said Brad Wilson, director of recreation. “The addition of these fields on this side of town demonstrates the district's commitment to meeting the needs of its residents and community athletic organizations.”
The Nike Sports Complex is named for its military heritage within the community and also for the Greek winged goddess Nike, or Nicé, a mythological spirit of victory in battle and peaceful competition.
Piszynski said the park improvements are based on resident feedback obtained during the acquisition process at several public meetings and from recommendations contained in the Open Space and Recreation Master Plan. Engineering plans were developed and the park site was approved by the city in April. Ground was broken in June.