Park Plans For Gelatin Co. Factory Site Move Forward

GRAYSLAKE, IL – Work has begun to turn the former site of the historic Grayslake Gelatin Co. into a park. The factory closed 36 years ago and now, only its iconic smokestack remains at the site. Village officials are hopeful the park, which is tentatively to be called the Gelatin Factory Park, will open in August, according to the Daily Herald.

Mayor Rhett Taylor said the addition of the park is expected to cost $2.5 million and on Tuesday, officials will discuss accepting a $1.2 million bid for the majority of underground work needed at the site, the Daily Herald reports. Taylor said he initially thought the addition would be good way to expand upon nearby Central Park, which is located just northeast of the Grayslake Gelatin Co. land, but those plans have since evolved. Now, he sees the park as a way to connect Railroad Avenue to the road that runs through Central Park.

Concept plans for the park call for a children's play area, which include a recirculating stream and a tree house village that would be made up of several treehouse connected by bridges and rope nets. A focal point for the park will be the smokestack green and garden, which will include a "formal oval lawn, ringed by walking paths and flower gardens," according to concept plans. The site is also slated to include a multi-purpose pavilion, a walking/jogging path and observation tower, a climbing/sledding hill and a fitness course.

More via the Daily Herald

Photo via the village of Grayslake concept plans