'Home Alone' Gazebo Facing Demolition

The gazebo in Winnetka’s Hubbard Woods Park, made famous for its appearance in the 1990 hit movie, Home Alone, will soon be history.

A summer concert held at the park last Wednesday may be the last with the film site as the backdrop, as the same day it was announced that a $2 million renovation of the park will include the demolition of the structure - according to the Winnetka Talk.

Winnetka Park District Executive Director Robert Smith said the decision to demolish the gazebo was an economic one.

“It’s an economic decision to remove it,” he said. “There are some structural issues with it. It’s lived its useful life, and it’s just not economically salvageable.”

Did You Know: Home Alone Was Primarily Filmed on the North Shore

A number of former Winnetka residents and preservationists have criticized the move.

“It’s a fixture in the community and it’s been there since the mid-1980s,” said Robert Burchmore, a former Winnetka resident who launched the summer concert series two decades ago.

The Hubbard Woods renovation plans include the construction of a new playground, a splash-pad and a new building for restrooms and storage.

Winnetka Park District Board President Brad McLane supports the new plans.

“If you want to reminisce, remember you can always rent ‘Home Alone,’” he said.

Photo: Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce

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