Railroad gives Lake Zurich $20,000 grant for flowers, trees

Lake Zurich has received a $20,000 grant from Canadian National Railway to fund downtown beautification projects.

Working with volunteers from the Lake Zurich Garden Club, the village has installed a diverse variety of flowers and shrubs, and improved landscaping surrounding village hall. Volunteers also have spruced up Rotary Park at the corner of Main Street and Old Rand Road with additional knockout roses.

"This infusion of $20,000 for beautification will leave a lasting impact on downtown Lake Zurich for many years to come," Mayor Thomas Poynton said in a news release. "We appreciate Canadian National Rail partnering with village staff and Lake Zurich volunteers, particularly the Lake Zurich Garden Club, to enhance our downtown streetscape."

Along with the downtown improvements, the money will help purchase trees to replace those lost to the emerald ash borer. Over the last few years, the village has been forced to remove 2,700 trees infested with the invasive beetle, officials say.