Adaptive Softball Field Part of Romeoville Crossing Park
Romeo Crossing Park, currently being constructed across from the post office along 135th Street, will be a sprawling 60 acres of heavily landscaped park land, sports fields and amenities, according to a press release from the village.
The newly added landscaping will replace previously removed invasive and dead trees. In their place will be healthy, native, and sustainable plants.
One of those sports fields will be a lighted adaptive softball field designed for use by persons with disabilities. The Northern Will County Special Recreation Association (NWCSRA) will contribute $300,000 towards the cost of the adaptive field and contribute another $30,000 per year for the next decade as additional financial support.
The field is made of asphalt, making it only the 26th wheelchair softball field in the country, officials said, and only the second field in the U.S. to be lighted.
The adaptive field is just a portion of this project. Other amenities include dog parks (one for large dogs and one for small dogs), soccer fields, a 23 foot high and 100 foot long sled hill, restrooms and concessions, a challenge course, a playground and more.
One key element of Romeo Crossing Park that the average person may not appreciate is the stormwater detention. These low-lying areas will help to resolve flooding issues the area has experienced for years, making for drier neighborhoods.
Romeo Crossing Park is being constructed in phases: Phases one and two (dog parks and earth grading/seeding), which received a $300,000 grant, thanks to state Rep. Natalie Manley, and is in the process of being awarded another grant, should be complete late this fall.
Phase three, which includes the adaptive field and a host of other amenities, was awarded a $400,000 grant and will begin work following the completion of phases one and two.