Fancy plaza could be added to Mundelein park
Mundelein is marking its centennial this year with concerts, historical presentations, a banquet and other activities - but now there's a push to add something more permanent to the celebration.
Village leaders, Mundelein Park and Recreation District officials and community volunteers are planning to create a brick plaza at Kracklauer Park on Seymour Avenue at Courtland Avenue.
"The centennial planning committee wanted a legacy project, something to leave behind," said Assistant Village Administrator Michael Flynn.
The plaza is planned for an unused area in the park's northwest corner, he said. Plans call for the construction of a 40-foot clock tower, benches, walkways and a seating wall. A time capsule could be buried in the plaza, too.
"The idea of time was sort of a symbol we were discussing," Flynn said.
The plaza could be used for dance or musical performances, art fairs and other community programs, Flynn said.
"It'd become an asset for the park district," he said.
The plaza also could host activities for the annual Community Days summer festival, which always is held near Kracklauer Park.
Park district Director Margaret Resnick loves the plan.
"I think it's a wonderful addition to the park," she said. "This will maintain the open space but give a person a reason to be there."
The project could cost $325,000, Flynn said, but neither the village nor the park district has money in its budget for the project.
Officials now are developing a fundraising program for the effort that could include business sponsorships, a buy-a-brick program, corporate naming rights and other tactics. They hope to raise the money this year and build the plaza in 2010.
If it moves forward, the plaza would be the second centennial project in Mundelein to be funded with private or corporate donations.
The village is raising money to restore its first firetruck, a 1925 Stoughton it reacquired last year. Officials hope to unveil the truck at a public event in October.
About $6,000 has been raised so far, Flynn said. The goal is $55,000.