Hawthorn Woods cuts ribbon for Meadowlark Park and Arboretum

Hawthorn Woods Mayor Dominick DiMaggio and the village board of trustees are proud to announce the soft opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Meadowlark Park and Arboretum Friday, Oct. 16.

Meadowlark Park and Arboretum is at 188 Meadowlark Drive, Hawthorn Woods, at the entrance of the Lake Lorraine Estates subdivision on the northeast corner of West Schwerman Road and Meadowlark Drive.

Meadowlark Park and Arboretum is a 3.5-acre park site featuring an interactive playground comprising four ADA compliant play pods that depict the historical development of Hawthorn Woods; a diverse treescape designed in conjunction with the Morton Arboretum; a 2-acre sustainable pollinator meadow habitat; walking trail; a rustic style "Little Library" donated by the Rotary Club of Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer and Long Grove; educational signage; park benches; and picnic tables.

The Meadowlark Park and Arboretum will be open year-round between sunrise and sunset, accessible to all mobilities.

The dedication ceremony marked the much-anticipated completion of a 5-year park design and implementation process. DiMaggio expressed gratitude to the organizations and agencies that contributed to the funding process.

"Funding and guidance were provided by the following organizations: Illinois Department of Natural Resources/Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development; Morton Arboretum; America in Bloom; Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation; Chicago Regional Tree Initiative; and the Rotary Club of Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer and Long Grove. We thank these important organizations and agencies for their support," DiMaggio said.

Due to the current coronavirus pandemic regulations, the village of Hawthorn Woods will hold an expanded dedication ceremony for the Meadowlark Park and Arboretum in the spring of 2021.

The grand opening ceremony will involve the village board of trustees, as well as local residents and dignitaries.