LAWLER PARK

The 5.9-acre Lawler Park was purchased in the early 1950’s to serve the northern portion of Skokie. Development soon followed, dominated by a huge rocket ship climber in the playground. An intergovernmental agreement with School District 219 was approved in 1991 whereby Niles North High School would be allowed to utilize the site for athletic purposes for 10 years in exchange for $170,000 to help defray development costs. The $300,000 redevelopment took place in 1992 and included drainage improvements, regrading and water service replacements, new playground, picnic tables, benches, trash receptacles, drinking fountain and other site amenities, new walks including perimeter walk, new basketball court and resurfaced tennis court and landscape improvements included trees, shrubs, sodding. Soccer field construction included the installation of an irrigation system. Ball diamond reconstruction including dugouts, backstop and fencing. In 1992 the Village of Skokie installed underground water storage tanks along the north perimeter of the site to reduce flooding in the immediate area.