Hillside Sport Court Park
Project Overview:
Hillside Sport Court Park is a neighborhood park located in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood. In 2023, Duluth Parks and Recreation conducted an inclusive planning process to establish a renewed vision of the park. The Hillside Sport Court Park Plan was adopted by Duluth City Council on August 21, 2023.
Planned park improvements include: enhancing site connectivity and accessibility, adding a pavilion and picnic area, renewing the sport court, replacing the playground, maintaining open green space, allotting space for a community garden, improving accessible parking, and repairing or replacing other park assets such as fencing, retaining walls, stairs, bike racks, signage, gate, trees, vegetation, etc.
Project Update:
Significant progress has been made at Hillside Sport Court Park! Extensive grading work has been done to better connect the lower portion of the park to the adjacent neighborhood. Some sections of the sidewalk, stairs, and an accessible ramp have been installed, and work to add pedestrian lighting has begun. All playground equipment has been installed, and the playground's poured-in-place safety surface is expected to be placed very soon! The picnic pavilion structure has been installed, and a concrete pad and seating will follow. The previous sport court has been fully removed, the area has been regraded, and construction of the new sport court is in progress. The construction crew is on schedule and expected to complete the park improvement project later this fall.
Funding Source:
Funding sources include grant support from the National Park Service/MN Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program, and Housing and Urban Development/City of Duluth Community Development Block Grant funds. Additional project support includes City revenue replacement funds and City Park Fund dollars.
Timeline:
Summer 2023: Hillside Sport Court Park Plan is adopted by Duluth City Council.
Fall 2023-Spring 2024: Applications for grant funding to support plan implementation are developed and submitted.
Summer 2024: City received notification of grant awards; Dilapidated building is removed.
Summer 2025: Contracts for grant awards formalized.
Fall 2025: Final design and construction documents are developed.
Winter 2025-2026: Bid documents developed, project bid out and awarded to contractor.
Summer 2026: Utility repairs to be completed; project construction to begin.
Fall 2026: Park improvement project to be completed.
Important Documents:
All documents linked below have been archived and will not be updated. All links open in a new window.
Project Partners:
St. Mark Giving Garden and Food Access Program
Health Equity Northland
