Century Park

• published: 19 Sep 2014
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1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills, IL Century Park surrounds New Century Town subdivisions along Big & Little Bear Lakes. Although there are several entrances to the park, most of the park can be accessed right off of Lakeview Parkway, north of Route 60. The Park’s 113 acres, 54 of which are water, were provided by the New Century Town Annexation Agreement. In 1976, Urban Investment and Development Company developed two parcels of land prior to being deed to the District. These parcels included Little Bear Lake and the six acres on Hawthorn Parkway. Development included the tennis courts, bicycle paths, softball field, two bridges, security lighting, miscellaneous site furnishings and landscaping. These improvements, completed by Urban Investment prior to deeding the land, would have cost the District more than $250,000 at that time. In 1980, a contractor donated 60,000 cubic yards of non-organic fill to form the base of the sled hill at Big Bear Lake. The sled hill was completed in 1982, with donated time and materials from Lake County Grading and Urban Investment. In 1982, Urban Investment initiated the development of land along Big Bear Lake by finishing the grading and seeding of the land, and by building the bicycle path system. The District, using some of its own funds along with an additional cash donation from Urban Investment, was able to develop a Century Park playground. Development continued as the District added two softball fields, access roads and parking lots, boat docks and a boat launch in 1986, using a $200,000 grant from Illinois Open Space and Land Acquisition Development funds. In 1987, the Boat Rental facility at Little Bear Lake officially opened to the public. The District no longer rents boats but non-motorized and boats with electronic motors are permitted on the lakes. Many upgrades and improvements to the park have since been implemented as part of the District’s Master Plan that included a goal to upgrade all parks over the past 5 years. In the summer of 1999, Century Park received new playground equipment at two locations, while the ball field and soccer field in the Hawthorn portion were rejuvenated. Also in 1999, the exercise circuit located along the park path was replaced. A volleyball court was added in 2000 and, as part of a major capital improvement project, the three main bridges were replaced in January 2004. The District received a $400,000 OSLAD Grant in 2009 to partially fund the renovation of the north end of Century Park. The project was competed in July, 2011. New amenities included bocce, baggo and horseshoe courts; cricket pitch, play equipment; dugout roofs, fencing and backstops for existing ball fields; 3-triactive fitness stations; picnic shelter; 2 fishing overlooks; fishing deck and pier; blue bird and duckhouse boxes; additional walking paths; and a 2000 square foot pavilion.