Hainesville gets grant to create public gathering place

Hainesville will receive a $10,000 grant from ComEd and Openlands to convert a deteriorated prairie into a public gathering place, village officials announced this week.

The site will serve as a centrally-located area for residents and the public to observe and appreciate native trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers designed to attract butterflies and other pollinators. It's located north of a pond on the north side of village hall, 100 N Hainesville Road, bordered by Hainesville Meadows wetlands, Hainesville Road, Centennial Drive, and the pond.

When completed, the gathering place will a point of pride for the village, Mayor Gerry Daley said in an announcement of the project.