At least seven Marseilles residents attended a hearing for a grant that would help redo Broadway Park. The city could get up to $600,000 through an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to add new playground equipment, basketball courts, and a splash pad. Andy Howard with Hitchcock Design group says the IDNR likes to see a diversity of different equipment in the application.
One thing Commissioner Nathan Schaefer wants to do is have a full bathroom instead of just a portable toilet in the park.
One resident agreed.
The plan would also permanently close parts of Grant Street so the park can run along Broadway Street. Mayor Jim Hollenbeck says that’s okay because it will make the area safer for kids. He also says one resident is okay with it.
The city has until September 30th to apply for the grant. They are receiving help through the North Central Illinois Council of Governments.
This what the four corners of the park in the read square look like now. The part of Grant Street on the north and south side of Broadway Street in the red square would be combined with the park project and wouldn’t allow traffic through anymore.
Andy Howard with Hitchcock Design Group addresses residents and the city council about redoing Broadway Park.