Just across from the Family Arena, the St. Charles Parks Department has been quietly working on a new park for the past several years. 

The department plans to make opening Webster Park a priority in 2013.

The city developed a master plan for the property, located at 2201 South River Road, in 2005. The park features rolling hills, wooded areas with trails, a fire pit, a playground and building which can be rented for events. 

Webster Park backs up to Heatherbrook Park. The two will be connected with a series of trails.

In the past few years, the Parks Department has built a road to Webster Park, put in a fire pit and converted a garage into a building which can be rented by residents. 

This year, the department also has plans to go out for bids on a playground. In addition, they plan to put in a trail before the park opens. 

"Webster is definitely the priority for this year," said Maralee Britton, director of the Parks Department. 

Other priorities for 2013 include retrofitting the lighting for the LED lock control system, repairs to the tennis courts and patching the worst asphalt areas in the parks system. 

In addition, the new pavilion in Frontier Park is expected to open.