Major Change Planned For Hinsdale's Downtown Park

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale is planning a pavilion for its downtown park that, as the village president says, "blends practicality with community pride."

The structure would be in Burlington Park, costing an estimated $250,000 to $300,000. Officials said it would be paid for by community contributions, with the local chamber of commerce already committing $100,000.

"It would be a legacy monument that's truly worthy of Hinsdale and its history," Village President Greg Hart told the Village Board on Tuesday.

The village, he said, hopes to finish the monument by July 4, 2026, the nation's 250th birthday. It would replace the temporary stage used for the Uniquely Thursdays summer concert series.

Tuesday's board meeting was the first time the pavilion was publicly discussed.

Trustee Neale Byrnes said the village appeared to want to issue the request for proposals for the designs the next day.

Hart said the village would issue the request whenever it felt comfortable

"Obviously, timeliness is important, but we want to get it right," he said.

Trustee Luke Stifflear said it was important to get the public's input on the design, particularly the proposed 20-foot-by-30-foot size.

"If we're going with 20-by-30, I'm quite certain that, as this village always does, there's going to be people with opinions that it should be bigger or that it should be smaller," Stifflear said.

He did not mention Elmhurst. But in the nearby town, the local park board has faced wrath for months about its apparent plan to put a bandshell near the community's iconic Wilder Mansion. The biggest criticism is that officials did not seek residents' feedback.

At Tuesday's meeting, Trustee Matt Posthuma said he feared the roof would trap the sound, keeping performers from projecting out to the audience.

He suggested a larger pavilion to accommodate certain performances, such as school groups and community theater.

Trustee Scott Banke said the pavilion should be designed in the spirit of the nearby train station. The railroad, he said, is closely connected to the village's history.

"The goal should be that the structure blends into and complements the surroundings," Banke said.

The village has posted an online survey seeking feedback on the pavilion.