From the time Steve Mientkiewicz became mayor of Niles seven years ago, "our overall vision was to make Waddell Park a destination," he said. 

Now that vision is close to becoming reality.

"What we wanted to do was really make a statement and show the community that we were invested and wanted to make an impact in the city of Niles," said  Mientkiewicz.

A splash pad has replaced the pool that closed about a decade ago.
There's new playground equipment and a gazebo for photo shoots, picnics and live music.
With such a big investment, security cameras are everywhere.

"Waddell Park is going to have more surveillance than Fort Knox," joked Mientkiewicz.

All these upgrades carried a $4.6 million price tag. The city bonded in $2 million while federal grant money through the Department of Transportation and HUD covered the rest. Not only that, the baseball facilities got a huge facelift too.

"The turf is the same turf you see on collegiate fields, professional fields," Mientkiewicz says.

You'll also find that at Wilder Field - an experience not lost on the Red Dragons high school team. We asked head coach Joe Toth how it's changed the way the team practices and plays. "We can do a lot more out here earlier in the season which is nice," he said. "The hops are much more readable and it's easier to play them and I feel we're more consistent with our fielding than we ever have been," added senior Connor Duncan.

Perhaps best of all - the promise of a big return on investment

"We've had people calling from all over wanting to utilize this facility, these facilities to host youth baseball tournaments, youth softball tournaments, soccer," said Mientkiewicz.

A big celebration is planned Memorial Day weekend with the community, local leaders and even the Scrappers.