Residents urge seating, trails and memorials as commissioners gather park suggestions; contamination at former garden site noted

At its April 6 meeting the Villa Park Parks Commission heard an extended public comment from resident Cheryl Tucker and a series of commissioner proposals for quick‑win park improvements across the village.

Cheryl Tucker, who identified herself at the start of public comment, urged the commission to revive the 2015 park master plan and pointed to site‑specific constraints and opportunities. She said that garden plots were moved to Westmore Park after discovery of buried contaminants at a former garden site near Summit and Maple: commissioners and Cheryl agreed the finding is documented and known to staff. "When they started digging up the ground they found it was not capable for what it was," she said, describing why plots were moved.

Commissioners and members of the public suggested multiple small projects intended to raise visibility and use of green spaces: planting native species and creating an attractive corner bed at the Prairie Path entry near Villa Avenue; adding benches and shade structures near Villa Perk; installing signage and a possible kayak/canoe launch and trail connection at Rotary Park; and expanding garden‑plot capacity at Westmore with protective fencing where appropriate. Several speakers noted Rotary Park is already being used for soccer and advised preserving open space for multiuse activities such as kite flying.

Commissioner Chris Dedric suggested a demonstration planting at a highly visible corner along the Prairie Path; Commissioner Lynn Smith proposed additional seating and shade near Villa Perk and said she has reached out to DuPage County to clarify path ownership and easement limits. Commissioners discussed a cooperative model with local businesses — for example, a donated bench program with markers naming sponsors — but emphasized transparency so the public understands donated assets are public and available without purchase.

On park naming the commission suggested a short list of candidates for the new green space at South Villa and Julia Drive, including "Norma A. Taylor Park" (a recommendation several commissioners supported), "Serenity Park" and a geographically descriptive "Salt Creek Park." Commissioners agreed to contact family members when an individual’s name is proposed and to consolidate a short list to be submitted to the trustees for public review.

The commission asked members to formalize the recommendations in writing and to return with scope and cost estimates at the next meeting. Commissioners also identified potential partners, including the Conservation Foundation and the DuPage Monarch project, for an education series and community resources such as rain‑barrel distribution.