Community invited to select the future seating for Central Park

The city of Naperville invites the community to help select the future seating for Central Park, located in downtown Naperville. Three bench seating options are on display in the main lobby of the Naperville Municipal Center, located at 400 S. Eagle St., through Friday, Jan. 28.

The public is encouraged to sample each bench and mark their preferences via a survey available at the display. The Central Park seating improvements are slated for completion in summer 2011.

The city will host a public open house on Monday, Jan. 24 to allow residents the opportunity to ask questions and provide additional input. The open house will take place in the Municipal Center lobby from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The three bench seating options were chosen by a group of representatives from the City of Naperville, Naperville Municipal Band and the Naperville Park District based on the following criteria:

• Long-Term Maintenance of the Seating: The benches are made using a durable and weather-resistant material (e.g., aluminum).

• Maintenance of the Open Lawn Seating Area: A maximum weight of 80 pounds to allow for the frequent relocation of benches associated with maintaining the lawn area.

• Seat Comfort: The benches have angled backs and appropriate seat widths for comfort.

• Aesthetic Appeal: The benches are in character with Central Park.

The new Central Park seating improvements are part of the Central Park Renovation Project. The new bench seating will replace the current wooden benches that are in poor condition and past their life span. In addition to the new benches, other seating area improvements are planned, including:

• Improved site grading and relocation of the concrete pad for the sound board

• Improved lighting design and installation

• Slight relocation of the cannon to minimize conflicts with the portable restrooms

• Relocation of the audio platform to allow for better visibility of the Community Concert Center

The City of Naperville received a $300,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to improve Central Park. These grant funds, along with funding from the Special Events and Cultural Amenities (SECA) Fund, will be used to complete the seating improvements for Central Park.

For more information on the Central Park renovations, visit the city's website at www.naperville.il.us/centralparkrenovation.aspx.