Title
Eagle Ridge lll Half Basketball Court
History
In a continuous improvement effort focused upon providing amenities that positively influence the quality of life for Orland park residents, staff explored adding a half basketball court to Eagle Ridge III Park in 2026.
A key component of adding the court was to first engage residents. A survey (attached) was created to gain an understanding of the desirability and concerns related to adding a half basketball court at Eagle Ridge III Park.
Staff mailed 367 survey postcards to residents residing within the boundaries north of 179th St., east of 108th Ave., West of 104th Ave. and south of Capistrano Lane. Additionally, yard signs with a QR code linking to the survey were installed at the park, and the survey was shared 3 times on Facebook posts.
Walking/jogging was noted as the dominate park use in every outreach method. Safety/ security, crowding, and traffic/parking are the strongest concerns expressed by survey participants that engaged in the postcard and yard sign methods, while Facebook respondents most commonly reported no concerns.
The survey resulted in 177 responses (summary attached). Across the three outreach methods results are mixed with neighborhood-focused results leaning opposed, while Facebook results lean supportive. Weighted across the three summaries, overall support for the addition of a half basketball court is approximately 51% support and 49% opposed.
In addition to the survey, an in-person community meeting was held on May 14, 2026 at 6pm in the Civic Center. Of the 12 residents in attendance, 11 were opposed to adding the half basketball court.
The Survey results demonstrate a significant distinction between geographically targeted outreach responses and broader community social media responses.
When evaluating only localized outreach methods, including postcards mailed to nearby residents and yard signs, the results indicate substantially greater opposition to the proposed half basketball court with 62% opposed and 38% in support of the court.
These results primarily reflect feedback from nearby residents that are most likely to experience direct impacts associated with the proposed improvement.
In contrast, Facebook outreach demonstrated stronger support for a half basketball court with approximately 69% in support of the court. This broader feedback may reflect a wider community interest in additional basketball amenities, youth recreation opportunities, and active recreation programming, but may not necessarily reflect the perspectives of residents living adjacent to the park.
The facilities and Grounds Advisory Board voted 4 - 1 against adding a half basketball court to Eagle Ridge III noting that the survey results from residents living in close proximity to the park, as well as input of residents from the in-person community meeting outweigh the broader desire to add the half basketball court.
Financial Impact
$75,000 is budgeted for the half-basketball court in capital in 2026.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve not adding a half basketball court to Eagle Ridge III Park and utilizing budgeted funds for other athletic amenity improvements in 2026.