The Park District of Franklin Park is proud to announce the purchase of the historic property at 2920 Maple Street, furthering our mission to expand public green space, support sustainability initiatives, and provide educational opportunities for our community.
The two-story home, built in 1882, was the longtime residence of the Draper family, including Hiram Draper, the third Village President of Franklin Park. In December 2024, the Park District received a $255,000 Open Space Land Acquisition Development (OSLAD) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to help fund the acquisition.
The nearly 1-acre site includes the original home and two detached garages. While the house and two-story garage will be retained for storage, the surrounding grounds will be transformed into a public garden, offering both beauty and hands-on opportunities for community engagement. Planned features include:
- Walking path with fitness stations
- Community gardens
- Public gardens including decorative pollinator and native plantings
- Children’s exploration play area
- Picnic shelter
- Arbor with game tables
- Greenhouse
Development will occur in phases over the next 3–5 years, maintaining a peaceful park atmosphere while introducing new amenities.
