Carpentersville’s newest park is be built along the Fox River and will include a water-view overlook, public access point for kayaks, fire pit and pavilion for small live performances.
Initially announced in 2022 as part of the village’s “Re-imagine Carpentersville Comprehensive Plan,” the venue will go on a 5.4-acre site along Washington Street and south of the Main Street bridge where the M&M Patio Stone Co. was once located.
“It’s going to be nice. It’ll be a destination for people,” Village President John Skillman said. “We’ve already talked to a lot of people about it. They’re very excited.”
Last week, the Carpentersville Village Board approved a $460,000 contract with HR Green to do the final engineering services for the project — about $40,000 less than had been budgeted.
The company estimates the park’s final cost will be about $5 million, according to village documents, but the actual price tag won’t be known until bids are solicited for the work. Carpentersville is seeking grant money to help cover the expense.
It’s being envisioned as a place where people can sit and enjoy the Fox River, Skillman said. With public access to the waterway, more recreational activities on the waterway will be possible, he said.
Removal of the Fox River dam in Carpentersville will improve public access to the waterway for recreational purposes, village officials say. (Mike Danahey/The Courier-News)
Among the proposed features are a beer garden with string lighting, awning structures with seating, a lounge area, a place for outdoor games, a butterfly garden, a kayak landing, a food truck parking area, a small play area for children and a river overlook.
There’s been a lot happening in that area, Skillman said, with the village recently hiring a company to take down an aging railroad bridge across the river located north of the Main Street bridge. Work is near completion on that project. Later this year, the Carpentersville dam is scheduled for removal.
Both should make it safer for kayakers to navigate the waterway, he said.
Some of the railroad structure are being preserved to create a gateway for the new park, Skillman added.
Village Manager John O’Sullivan predicted the new park will prove a boon for bringing people to the village and its Old Town area.
“We’re absolutely looking forward to this. We think it will be a tremendous attraction to bring people to the river,” he said.
The riverfront park will also draw people attending weddings at the nearby Brix on the Fox for pictures or as a space to go before a reception starts, O’Sullivan said. The Brix is a popular venue located on Washington Street.
Removal of this old railroad bridge over the Fox River and plans to remove a river dam should enhance a park being planned for the riverfront south of the Main Street bridge in Carpentersville. (Gloria Casas/The Courier-News)
“It’s definitely going to be a nice area for people to go to,” he said. “It will be a little gem,” O’Sullivan said.
HR Green should have the final design ready by the end of summer, he said. If all goes according to plan, construction could start in the fall and be finished in spring 2026, he said.
No name for the park has been selected. Skillman said the village board may ask residents for their input.
A riverfront park is one of the visions Skillman has for the village, O’Sullivan said. The village also rebranded its website and created a new logo, he said.
The president “has a vision for the future, and it’s all positive,” O’Sullivan said.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
