Sandholm Woods Park adds peaceful place to relax

Parks are not just for playgrounds and sporting events, Geneva parks officials believe.

Sometimes, people just need a patch of peace on which to relax.

The addition to Sandholm Woods Park, which will be officially opened Sunday, July 12, should meet that need.

The 2-acre site on the east side of Sandholm Street, about a block south of State Street, features a large lawn, a winding paver path, a patio with benches, a gazebo and trellises on which clematis is making its way skyward. There's a maze for children (the shrubs are kind of short now, but might eventually be tall enough so kids can't see over them).

And if your children need to blow off some steam while you sit and read a book, there are large poured-cement boulders for them to clamber on.

"It's a nice mixture," said Sheavoun Lambillotte, the park district's executive director, noting the district was able to keep many of the site's mature trees.

It fits in with the district's goal of preserving open space on the east side of town, which is difficult as the area is mostly built out, Lambillotte said. The district tore down a house to make room for this park. It decided not to put in a playground because there is one at nearby Stanley Esping Park.

The house, and land across the street, were bought by the district from Emil DeMartini with money from a 2000 open space tax referendum. The improvements were paid for with money the district borrows every year. The western side of the park is more of a nature preserve, with trees and an area of native wildflowers. Turkey vultures have been known to roost there in the spring.

The park contains some history. The iron gates at the entrance were part of the original construction at Island Park, and in the maze, there is a large cement block from City Mills.

The park will be dedicated at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 12.