Hinsdaleans Opine On Downtown Park Change

HINSDALE, IL – Most residents are behind the village of Hinsdale's plan to build a pavilion in a downtown park, an official said Tuesday.

At a Village Board meeting, Village President Greg Hart said more than 220 people have responded to a village survey on a proposed pavilion at Burlington Park.

Two weeks ago, Hart announced the plan for a pavilion. The plan is to finish it by June 1, in time for the nation's 250th birthday, which is July 4.

In the survey, 72 percent of respondents favored building a pavilion in the park, Hart said.

A majority prefer a design consistent with the train station or the Memorial Building, which houses the library and village offices, he said.

Hart also said residents believe a 20-foot-by-30-foot pavilion is an appropriate size and were concerned about going any larger than that.

"The top priorities for this pavilion, as rated by residents who took the survey, would include support for live music, architectural harmony and flexible, year-round usability," Hart said.

Hart has set up a six-member review committee, consisting of two members each from the Village Board, the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.

"I want to emphasize that we take this feedback very seriously," Hart said. "We are still in the early design and review process, and the survey is only the first of multiple opportunities to engage and provide input."

At the board's meeting earlier this month, trustees said they wanted the pavilion to blend into the surroundings.

The pavilion is estimated to cost $250,000 to $300,000, with contributions paying for it.