Renovations to Montgomery Park in Montgomery are one step closer to completion with the recent arrival of monuments for veterans and first responders to be placed at the site.
The upgrades to the park, at 301 N. River St. in downtown Montgomery, started in 2018 but were stalled by the pandemic. Work started again late last year and should be complete in time for visitors to enjoy during the annual Montgomery Festival, which is centered at the park and set to run this year from Aug. 16 to 18.
One of the memorials at the park will honor veterans and will fly the American, Illinois and village of Montgomery flags.
A few yards away will be a memorial for first responders and essential workers. Montgomery Village President Matt Brolley thinks that memorial is a well-timed tribute to local first responders and essential workers due to their work during the pandemic. The monument is the first of its kind in the region, officials said.
Village officials have said the design process for the monuments was a long one and was a collaborative process of many groups.
The village held focus groups and one-on-one interviews with several stakeholder groups, including veterans representing several military branches, first responders and other essential workers. Together these individuals contributed to the words and images to be depicted on the monuments being placed in Montgomery Park, officials have said.
State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, helped secure a $200,000 state grant to help pay for the improvements at the park.
In addition, a $10,000 ComEd Green Region Open Lands grant will help with shoreline restoration work that is part of the park renovation project.
The overall price of the renovations is $510,000 and was funded largely by funds from the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, village officials said.
The park itself is owned by the Fox Valley Park District. The village of Montgomery approved an intergovernmental agreement with the district for the renovation project.
Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
