The Montgomery Village Board has unanimously approved a contract for final design services for improvements at Montgomery Park along the Fox River in Montgomery including an upgraded entertainment area, a memorial to veterans and another memorial to first responders, health care workers and educators.
The contract is for a little over $60,000 with Signature Design Group of Naperville. Since the final design for the proposal has not been completed, there is no final cost estimate yet for the total project.
Under plans being discussed, the entertainment area at the park would have a raised platform for seating and entertainment with a shade component that may include brightly-colored fabric sails that would come down over the main stage in the performance venue.
The “fabric sails” that are part of the proposal would be used to help shade the performance area from the sun or provide some relief when it is raining, according to officials.
A portable stage will be brought in for the site for Montgomery Festival and other large events.
A permanent bandshell at the park is not part of the current proposal.
The work at the park would include two new memorials. Veterans Memorial Plaza would be located on an elevated ridge between trails at the park.
Greg Sagen of Signature Design Group said the concept plan for the plaza features a large brick patio, a stone sitting wall with lighting and the three flagpoles. The veterans memorial itself would be on a round circular pad at the plaza with the Fox River as a backdrop, officials said.
The second memorial for the park is for first responders, health care workers and educational professionals. It would be located south of the Veterans Memorial Plaza, according to plans.
Funding for the new improvements will come from a $200,000 state grant that was spearheaded for the project by state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego.
Trustees got their first look at the plans a few weeks ago and revisited the proposal this week. Since Montgomery Park is a Fox Valley Park District site, the district’s board will also look at the plans.
Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
