Hanover Park's Memorial Park set for unveiling

A lasting tribute to two Hanover Park mayors will be unveiled next week.

A special dedication ceremony for Memorial Park, built in honor of past village presidents Sonya Crawshaw and Irwin Bock, is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. June 14.

"They were fine people, and this is a great tribute to their dedication to the village," said Mark Masciola, Hanover Park's assistant village manager.

The small park, less than 2 acres large, is at southeast corner of Arlington Drive and Greenbrook Boulevard at one end of the Mallard Lake trail. The park will feature numerous plantings, as well as benches and brick paths.

The park was a collaboration between the village, DuPage County Forest Preserve District, IDI International, and Walsh Landscape Construction.

The idea for Memorial Park came from officials at IDI, Masciola said.

"They put forth an offer to establish a tree-planting program in honor of Sonya Crawshaw and Irwin Bock," he said.

Village President Rodney Craig said officials decided that the small parcel, owned by the forest preserve district, would be a great location.

Masciola's son, Matthew, then jumped in to help as part of his Eagle Scout service project.

Matthew Masciola, who just finished his junior year at Glenbard North High School, contacted the forest preserve district for permission to make improvements to the park. He followed that up with a presentation to the village board on his plans.

"His initiative was great," Craig said.

The Scouts planted Stella D'Oro daylilies, Black Eyed Susans and Autumn Jazz Arrowwood Viburnum bushes.

"It was a lot of hard work, but it was definitely worth it," Matthew Masciola said.

IDI International and Walsh Landscape Construction chipped in with the planting of 20 trees.

"It was great to see so many people come together," Craig said.

Crawshaw, who served as president from 1985 to 1997, died in 2005.

Bock, Crawshaw's successor, died of a stroke in 2006 while in office.

"This is a great honor to two fine leaders of our community," Craig said.

For more information on the park or dedication ceremony, contact Mark Masciola at (630) 372-4212.