Depot Park Construction – Our Favorite Features
March 13, 2025
It’s happening! In late spring, the City will start a major renovation of Depot Park. The project includes new gathering spaces, walkways, landscaping, lighting, and other amenities. This month, some of the existing trees are being removed to make way for the project. Tree removal needs to take place now to comply with environmental regulations. New native trees will be planted as part of the project, along with expanded landscaped and lawn areas. Following the tree removal, the park will be accessible to the public until full construction.
Downtown Crystal Lake/Main Street is very excited about what the park improvements will mean for the future of our downtown! This improvement plan will expand the diversity of use and functional space for individuals and the community, while enhancing the beauty of our downtown. We also think it will help unite the downtown space and inspire more pedestrian flow between both sides of the train tracks.
- Thoughtful touches that reflect the downtown’s character and history. Like classic lighting, beautiful brick pavers, and the welcome sign, which mixes terra cotta and glass to represent our ice history. (The script on the sign is a replica of an old Crystal Lake sign that used to be in the downtown!)
- More seating areas for individuals, families, and friends – including swings under pergolas, and tables and chairs under umbrellas
- A “concert in the round” for performances, which will be functional park space when not in use. (The tiered seating is perfect for eating a bagged lunch or sitting for a conversation.)
- More usable space for pop-up markets and the Farmers Market. (Downtown Crystal Lake / Main Street is developing a Christkindlmarket, inspired by this new space – perfectly placed for visitors coming in on the train.)
- Attention to native plants and trees
- Locating the Veteran’s Memorial to a more prominent space toward the sidewalk
- Very specifically but not unimportant: a community Christmas tree to light at the end of the Festival of Lights Parade!
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