Group aims to beautify Island Lake

In an effort to shine up not only the downtown but the entire village, Island Lake has started a committee devoted entirely to beautification.

"We want to start out small," Trustee Rich Garling says of the Downtown Improvement Committee, composed of three residents and two business owners. "(We) want to improve the way things look in general."

Basic goals like improving grass cutting and trees trimming were first on the list, he said, with research being done into securing federal and state grants to help pay for the projects.

"(The group will) try to find ways to finance this so (taxpayers) aren't hit with the costs," he said.

Garling, who called the first gathering of the committee on Oct. 18 "the best meeting, the most productive meeting," said members are working on projects like providing planters to local businesses and starting a contest for those who do the best job of beautifying theirs.

"It's little things like that that will help downtown look nicer," he said.

The trustee also said the committee will work on extending sidewalks or bike paths to make ways for pedestrians to safely get downtown. That will, in turn, improve foot traffic and sales in local businesses, he said.

"At least have some means that people can walk uptown if they want to," Garling said.

The committee also will examine village ordinances and compare them to surrounding communities to ensure Island Lake is keeping pace with its beautification rules.

The next committee meeting will be Nov. 13 at village hall, 3720 Greenleaf Ave., and Garling said all are welcome to add ideas. It's those ideas that will help draw local business to the village, he said.

"I'm proud of Island Lake but I know that it can always use improvement," Garling said.