Ordinance Paves the Way for a Romeoville Farmers' Market

There may not be any plans to launch a Romeoville farmers’ market — not right now, anyway — but a new ordinance will make it a little easier when and if it does happen.

Just as they two weeks ago, village trustees on Wednesday took steps to make sure the village is prepared to handle requests for a farmers’ market.

Previously, the village’s zoning code did not contain a definition for a farmers’ market, according to Community Development Director Steve Rockwell. The closest the code came was providing categories for temporary roadside stands or farmstands.

“This would create a definition for a temporary farmers’ market,” Rockwell noted, saying the village has fielded more than one request for a similar event over the last few years. The ordinance would allow a temporary market in areas zoned for conservation, agricultural use or even downtown, with an eye to eventually bringing a farmers’ market to the village’s downtown area or to .

“The village hopes one day to have an event like this,” Rockwell said.

“Obviously, this is something we’ve been looking at for a number of years,” Mayor John Noak said. “That’s not to say we’ll have a farmers’ market tomorrow,” he added, but noted the ordinance lays the groundwork for bringing that type of event to Romeoville.

Trustee Sue Micklevitz pointed to similar events in other nearby communities. A farmers’ market will return to Bolingbrook’s Promenade on June 7, while , set to return June 16, will boast as many as 50 vendors.

“This is obviously a trend for communities right now,” she said. “I think it’s fantastic that we’re being proactive.”

Trustees also approved a new program that will allow families to honor departed loved ones with commemorative trees or benches.

Director of Parks and Recreation Kelly Rajzer said the has fielded several calls from residents wanting to plant a tree in memory of a relative. Now, for $350, community members can have a tree planted in one of Romeoville's parks, plus an inscribed brick paver in honor of their loved one.

Commemorative park benches, which come with an inscribed plaque, are also available for $950.

Noak said the program is a way for departed Romeoville residents' legacies to live on.

"I think it's a great idea," he said.

For more information on the commemorative tree or bench program, contact the recreation department at 815-886-6222.