O’Fallon makes plans to unveil improvements at Community Park, pool

The $20 million in upgrades to O’Fallon Community Park will be officially unveiled in festivities on June 13. Highlights will include a new aquatic center, Katy Cavins Community Center and amphitheater.

Now that the ambitious plans are nearing the finish line, Andrew Dallner, director of the parks and recreation department, said he is excited for people to see the improvements.

“This is a dream come true. There has been so much hard work put into this, and it is really something special to see. When I started, this was the kind of thing we envisioned for the city’s future, and now it’s here, and it’s beautiful,” Dallner said.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has planned grand opening activities to kick off this momentous occasion.

A ribbon-cutting is set for 4:30 p.m., with the main events from 5 to 9 p.m. Tours of the facility will be available, the O’Fallon Township High School band will perform, concessions will be open, and a kid’s area near the large pavilion will include bounce houses and yard games. The band Champagne Fixx will entertain at 6:30 p.m.

Changes include a new community pool, two slides, a lap pool with diving board, kitchen space, community room, parks and recreation department offices, a new parking lot, full-size gym, and performing arts stage.

“I am excited to see the first one down the new slide. Two people can go down at once, and there is going to be an endless loop of kids line up,” he said.

The city pool was totally rebuilt and enlarged. It had been a fixture in the park since 1959, when the town’s population was about 4,000; today it is over 30,000.

The pool had physical issues that need to be repaired and made accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Upgrades to the restrooms also were made, as were new locker rooms with amenities.

Over the past 60 years, expectations for outdoor aquatic facilities have changed. Dallner said recreational water is more freeform shape and has multiple zones and amenities for adults and children alike.

But while there are new elements, some treasures remain.

“We saved the huge tree that was a big priority of the community,” Dallner said.

A paved lighted multi-use path has been completed – the park trail is .8 miles long and 10-feet-wide and winds around the park.

Located at 401 E. Fifth St. along U.S. 50, the park began its metamorphosis last summer Groundbreaking on the $19.9 million enhancement project happened on April 30, 2024.

Dallner said playground and pool improvements were the two top priority rankings in the Build O’Fallon Trust Fund surveys, and these enhancements will not only meet residents’ needs but improve the city’s quality of life.

“The Parks Master Plan included replacing the swimming pool, adding space for community gatherings, and more hiking and biking trails,” he said.

Starting two and a half years ago with the All-Abilities Playground, the department has been developing enhancements throughout the city. The inclusive playground opened in October 2023.

For the rest of the Community Park, Phase 1 included a Parks and Rec building, locker rooms, pumphouse, pool, slide, splash pad, and performing arts stage. Phase 2 included a complete overhaul of the Katy Cavins Center, new parking lot, and event space.

Amphitheatre To Feature Entertainment

Dallner said music, movies and a magic show are among the free activities that will be programmed at the new performing arts stage.

Music in the Park is a new free summer concert series that will kick off on June 18 featuring a variety of local musicians. Six events are planned, with live music starting at 6:30 p.m. and stopping at 8:30 p.m. All you need to do is bring a blanket or chair. Concessions will be available for purchase too.

The free Family Movie Night will debut in its new location on Aug. 1, with “The Garfield Movie” showing at dusk. On Sept. 5, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3 “ will be shown, and Oct.3 , “Mufasa: The Lion King.” Activites commence at 6:30 p.m. Concessions are available for purchase.

Three kids’ shows will take place June 17, July 24, and Aug. 6, but details haven’t been announced yet. Expect shows to be late morning, early afternoon.