Harrer Aquatic Facility

Eriksson Engineering Associates, Ltd. (EEA) worked closely with the Morton Grove Park District on the demolition and replacement of the 30-year-old Harrer Park Pool facility. As a subconsultant to Williams Architects, EEA provided civil, traffic, and parking engineering services for the 1,000-bather load pool complex. The extensive site includes a six-lane, 50-meter main pool, deep pool with diving boards, drop slide, and climbing wall, a plunge pool with multi-story slides, a zero-depth entry tot pool, and a playful spray pad. Complementing these features are a bathhouse, a community room, and a filtration/storage building.

The aquatic complex has a separately gated concession plaza which provides space for patrons to enjoy drinks and snacks. EEA designed this plaza utilizing drainage structures with minimal visual impact, while still meeting the strict requirements of a pool deck. Access to the facility is obtained through an entry plaza that includes easy drop-off and sign-in areas. The entry plaza was designed to meet ADA requirements while providing a warm and inviting environment for pool patrons.

EEA designed an off-site water main to loop the Village’s water system, as well as a stormwater management facility. One of the challenges EEA successfully resolved was the design of a stormwater management basin to be in the park. The design enabled the basin to exist as an open space in dryer conditions, therefore avoiding the loss of usable, programmable space for the Park District.

Comprehensive traffic and parking studies were conducted to optimize access to the pool facility. These studies analyzed the entire park to ensure the ballfields and other park amenities would not be severely impacted by the new pool facility. EEA observed the usage patterns of the existing parking lot, leading to the reconfiguration of parking stalls to meet the needs of the Harrer Pool complex, providing a safer and more efficient drop-off area. EEA utilized past pool projects to warrant a reduction in parking stalls compared to the Village’s standard zoning requirements. Working with the Village, EEA assisted the Park District in creating an IGA with the Village for additional shared parking to serve both the pool and the neighboring Village buildings.

Additionally, EEA designed park paths to comply with ADA accessibility requirements, ensuring that the pool complex remains inclusive and accessible to patrons of all abilities.