Oswego Plans Park, Entertainment Venue On To-Be Donated Land

OSWEGO, IL — A business owner and developer is seeking to donate land near the Oswego Junction Mall for the purposes of creating a new park and entertainment venue. Village Board members will consider on Tuesday whether to accept developer Kevin Fialko's proposal.

Fialko owns Oswego Junction Mall and nearby land. He has proposed donating three acres situated behind the Metra park-and-ride lot, provided the city turns it into a public entertainment venue within three years of accepting the property, the village said in a press release Thursday.

Specific plans for the lot have not been made, other than to say it will be a park and entertainment venue, according to the village. More formal talks about the development will happen if the village accepts the land. A community engagement process on the development would take place if the village moves forward.

“The idea currently would include an outdoor stage that could be used by local bands, student bands, or theatre groups, as well as by other interested government agencies,” Village Administrator Dan Di Santo said in a statement. “We do envision in addition to an active stage having a park area accessible to the community as a gathering space with multi-seasonal use.”

The Village Board has yet to weigh in on the proposal, but Village President Troy Parlier said in a statement that the project could help achieve a goal of activating Orchard Road.

“Activating Orchard Road has been a priority of mine for the Oswego community, and being able to offer an amenity like this is a great first step,” said Village President Troy Parlier. “I want to thank Kevin and his team for this act of generosity and for sharing in this vision of robust, community-minded growth along Orchard Road.”

The development would help anchor nearby businesses and perhaps future development near the corner of Orchard Road and Mill Road. The park-and-ride has largely been used for special events since Metra discontinued shuttle service in 2015, according to the village, but the site is still slated as the future home of an Oswego Metra Station.

Fialko has also added more entertainment events in the area, including the Vet Fest 141.

The Village Board will take up the proposal at its Tuesday, Oct. 1 meeting at Village Hall.