Oak Park Wire

Yena Park in La Grange Park reopened to the public Wednesday, July 8, after a $1.68 million renovation that added two dedicated pickleball courts, a playground, a pavilion, and green infrastructure. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch attended a ribbon-cutting the following day. Welch represents the 7th District, which includes both La Grange Park and River Forest.

New courts and amenities

The two pickleball courts operate daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and include sound mitigation features, according to the Community Park District of La Grange Park. The broader renovation also delivered one tennis court, a half basketball court with two additional hoops, a toddler play area, a playground, a pavilion with electrical service, a drinking fountain, a Little Free Library, and video surveillance. A perimeter walking path runs approximately one-third of a mile.

The renovation added stormwater management features, native plantings, pollinator habitats, and 27 new trees.

The softball and soccer fields will remain closed to organized play until spring 2027 to allow turf to establish.

A 14-year-old's challenge

At the Thursday, July 9 ribbon-cutting, a 14-year-old community advocate named Leo challenged Welch to a pickleball game on the new courts. Welch accepted. The speaker credited Leo with helping inspire the park's pickleball component, posting on X that Leo "reminded us that leadership starts with having the courage to speak up."

The park is named after William Yena, a La Grange Park community figure whose family attended the ceremony.

Funding breakdown

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded the park district a $600,000 OSLAD grant in February 2024. The total project budget reached $1,676,818, with pickleball court development adding $122,654. Additional funding came from $600,000 in general obligation bond proceeds, $437,418 in capital reserve funds, and a $39,400 contribution from La Grange Park Little League.

The park district's Board of Park Commissioners approved a $1,297,608 contract with Landworks Limited on Monday, November 11, 2024. Construction began in March 2025, but permitting delays with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and the Village of La Grange Park pushed the opening from spring 2026 to July 2026.