‘Problems that need to be solved’: $1.16M improvement project approved for Lake Zurich’s Breezewald Park

Extensive improvements at Breezewald Park along the lake in downtown Lake Zurich requiring the removal of a 150-year-old oak and another tree will proceed in spring as planned.

The unanimous approval Monday of a $1.61 million contract with D’Land Construction of Algonquin followed objections from several speakers who argued against relinquishing green space for work to include nine more parking spaces.

“Giving up valuable green space for more pavement on such a small slice of land is just not in the best interests of our community, said Kevin Mulve, a board member of the Lake Zurich-based Ancient Oaks Foundation.

He said the organization netted 148 signatures in 24 hours on a petition to oppose the project.

Brian Sullivan, Ancient Oaks’ executive director, said the parking lot expansion would negatively impact the natural environment and community character.

Village officials countered there has been misinformation on social media regarding the project's potential impact.

“No one is trying to cut down trees for the sake of cutting down trees,” said Trustee Jake Marx. “There are problems that need to be solved here and everybody working for the village is engaged in this process in good faith.”

Other parking options were considered but couldn’t achieve the level of safety and other considerations of the project as planned, explained Mike Brown, public works director.

Village leaders say they value open space and, in this instance, removing two trees is an unavoidable aspect of the plan to improve safety, enhance accessibility and replace outdated facilities.

“In the big picture in the last 10 years, we have added significantly without reducing the footprint of any green space,” said Trustee Marc Spacone.

As planned, a Chinese Chestnut in poor condition adjacent to the sea wall and an oak estimated about 150 years old near the parking lot area will be removed. Those trees will be replaced with 10 new 3-inch caliper trees in other locations, he added.

“One side of this proposal has gotten a lot of attention and I think the other improvements have maybe fallen through the cracks and I think they’re important,” said Trustee Greg Weider.

Breezewald Park is in the center of the community with a beach and Sunset Pavilion beer garden among the amenities. The project is part of a multiyear plan to revitalize the downtown and improve public parks.

The parking lot is a key consideration because when full, vehicles can’t turn around and must reverse uphill to exit, creating unsafe conditions for motorists and pedestrians, according to village documents.

The project was included in the village’s capital investment plan to be completed in 2026. It calls for a new beach retaining wall and storm sewer, paths, shelter, landscaping enhancements and other improvements. The park, beach, retaining wall, parking lot and pathways were built in the 1990s.

Since then, the retaining wall has been rebuilt and repaired twice because of stormwater overflow and erosion and the parking lot and pathways need to be rebuilt to current standards to ensure motorist and pedestrian safety, according to the village.

The project is scheduled to start in February and be complete in May, Brown said.