Work will begin in early 2026 on updates to the Mundelein Park & Recreation District’s Keith Mione Community Park and other park facilities thanks to a $600,000 matching grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resource’s Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program. The 107.58-acre Keith Mione Community Park at 1401 N. Midlothian Road is the center of many Park District activities.
Executive Director Ron Salski said the Park District is grateful for the grant because “It feeds one of our strategies which is innovation and it helps us to keep advancing with the growing community. It offers some really exciting aspects to improve our facilities.”
Salski said the Park District is grateful to Governor J. B. Pritzker, the legislators, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for funding the grant.
The Executive Director reported that since 2021 the Park District has been contemplating making changes, including connecting the two recreation centers, replacing the Dolan Recreation Center playground, improving the woodland area, expanding the parking, and finding a flatter surface for the ice skating rink.
In addition, Salski reported, “Senator Dan McConchie and I were talking about new trends for individuals with disabilities and he mentioned wheelchair football. He gave us some contacts so we could learn more about the sport.”
They decided that it would be possible to incorporate wheelchair football into the planned expansion of the Dolan Recreation Center.
The Park District is also planning a chalk art area with chalkboard frames and a 12-foot by 20-foot shelter at Keith Mione Community Park. Salski noted that one of the maintenance staff members came up with this innovative idea.
There will be a creative play area near the chalk art area, plus picnic tables, and new native shade trees. Paths will be added to create access to all the elements and facilities and parking.
Woodland restoration will include the removal of buckthorn and other invasive plants.
“Everything we’ve planned for is generational, it’s inclusive,” Salski explained. “We think that is the trend for all communities.”
An architectural firm that the Park District hired should finish the architectural drawings in 2025, and work on the projects will begin soon after that.
“We want to get started in early 2026 so we can have it up and ready for the fall of 2026,” Salski said.
The Mundelein Park & Recreation District grant was one of 100 local park projects funded by the state to help communities acquire land and create recreational opportunities. Over $55.2 million was awarded for those local park projects.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
