Lombard residents could see a 1.2-acre expansion of Lilacia Park by late 2027, funded by a $2.8 million partnership between the village and the Lombard Park District.
The project would transform the former Helen Plum Library site into a passive park addition featuring gardens, winding pathways, a nature-based children's play garden, a shelter or gazebo, and open seating areas, The Lombardian reported.
Trevor Dick, the village's director of community development and planning, outlined the funding breakdown: $1 million from the park district's Capital Fund, $1 million from a State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant, and $800,000 from the village's Economic Development Fund.
Dick said the village's Economic Development Fund was established in 2021 with a $5 million allocation and carries a current balance of $4.5 million. He said staff supported the request because the enhanced park would increase visitors, support tourism and community events, and put "underutilized" space to use.
The park district acquired the former library parcel in 2024. It sought village financial help after failing to secure a separate $600,000 grant for the expansion, according to The Lombardian.
Residents chose a passive park
Joe McCann, executive director of the Lombard Park District, said public input shaped the design. The district held open houses in July 2025 and conducted a community survey in 2024.
McCann said residents wanted a passive addition rather than sports fields. "They understand the uniqueness of that park … incorporating that land into the existing gardens," he said.
The preliminary design calls for an entrance at the southeast corner connecting to downtown Lombard, along with trails and gathering spaces. The park district's project page lists goals that include preserving the Jens Jensen and Colonel Plum heritage and expanding botanical collections.
Bidding set for early 2027
The park district is in the construction documentation phase, which runs September through December 2026, according to its website. Bidding is scheduled for January through February 2027, with construction planned from April through November 2027.
Village and park district figures show more than 147,000 visits to Lilacia Park in 2025. Sixty-seven percent of residents visited the park within the past year, according to The Lombardian.
