Park plan would end Libertyville Days, challenger claims

A broadside was fired Wednesday in the race for Libertyville mayor, with challenger Terry Weppler saying improvements to a downtown park would end a popular annual festival.

Mayor Jeff Harger deflected the charges, saying no decisions have been made regarding Sunrise Rotary Park.

In a news release, Weppler said Harger has downplayed future improvements to the park on Milwaukee Avenue near St. Joseph Church. There are extensive plans that include an amphitheater, water fountain and space for vendors, according to Weppler.

The intent, Weppler claims, is to move events, like the farmers market, from nearby Cook Park to Sunrise, and that modifications at Sunrise would make it unusable for the annual Libertyville Days. He has headed the parade committee and chaired the group that runs the event.

"The plans show extensive renovation and, in fact, specify an intent to move events from Cook Park to Rotary Park," Weppler said.

He said the character and use of Sunrise would be "dramatically altered." The village would be spending money to duplicate an event venue that it already has in Cook Park.

Harger insists there are no plans to move events from Cook Park.

"I'm tired of his fabrications that are totally slanted," Harger fired back.

"We're studying options. We're in the process of getting community input."

A concept plan commissioned by the village shows the amenities Weppler described.

Harger said the gazebo at Sunrise is rotting. Should it be rebuilt and if not what would go in its place, Harger asked. The drawings present some options, he added.

"We don't even have any estimates of what it would cost to do that," Harger said. "There are absolutely zero plans to move any events out of Cook Park."

On his Web site, Harger says there are plans to improve Rotary Park but they consist mostly of landscaping, irrigation and lighting improvements.

Weppler noted that all the drawings commissioned by the village show extensive renovations. He also charged that Harger has been "less than forthcoming" about the amount of possible funding and could move forward immediately if he wanted.

Harger said money for park projects comes from developer contributions to the park improvement fund. There is about $450,000 in that fund, but Harger said no contracts have been signed nor intent to spend it all at Sunrise.

"It's insulting," he said of Weppler's contentions.

"It's only in the planning stage. We're talking to neighbors for input."

Harger and Weppler will face off April 7 in Libertyville's first contested mayoral race in 20 years. The mayor's post is a 4-year term.