Entryway project to proceed for flagship park in Vernon Hills
A front door improvement at the Vernon Hills Park District's marquee park is ready to proceed.
While the annual Summer Celebration is taking center stage this weekend at Century Park north of Route 60 at Lakeview Parkway, plans have been approved and a contractor selected for a gateway feature.
"When you're going down Lakeview at that intersection, it's just not a nice entryway to what we consider our flagship park," said Jeff Fougerousse, the district's executive director.
A series of restaurants ending with Opa! had been located on the 3-acre site at Hawthorn Parkway and Lakeview Parkway overlooking Little Bear Lake. The business had been for sale but with no takers, it was demolished in 2015.
After plans for residential development were twice rejected by the village board as being too dense, officials opted for a different approach.
Vernon Hills contributed $1.5 million and the park district $750,000 to buy the property, with the intent of improving the look and keeping it as green space.
The pending work amounts to an expansion of the 113-acre park, which features two lakes. Much of the existing parking lot will be removed and replaced with grass, and a bathroom will be installed adjacent to a 46-space parking lot.
The village's advisory planning and zoning commission reviewed the concept and recommended changing the zoning classification from general business to conservation open space. The village board on Tuesday unanimously agreed and directed staff to approve an ordinance for official approval Aug. 14.
"Obviously, we helped you buy this property, so you guys doing something positive is great," Mayor Roger Byrne said.
Park district officials on Thursday approved a contract with Copenhaver Construction Inc., of Gilberts for the work. With engineering and other fees, the district will spend about $649,000 on the project, according to Fougerousse. The budgeted amount was $650,000, he added.
Copenhaver previously did shoreline restoration at Big Bear and Little Bear lakes. This project will include a connecting path, a large lighted flagpole and small plaza.
"I think that will dress it up nicely and give a good welcome to Century Park," Fougerousse said.
A basketball court, where the stage for Summer Celebration and Ribfest is set up, will be removed and the stage area moved about 100 feet.
Work is scheduled to start in late August and is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
The grass portion, which will accommodate village or park district special events, will be seeded in spring, Fougerousse said.